Forty years after entering the industry as a parts man for Kawasaki UK, Simon Belton is bowing out of full-time work on a high, having accumulated a lifetime of motorcycle experience and many fond memories.
Belton’s enduring passion for all things motorcycle has driven his career and underpinned his position as a cornerstone of some of the industry’s most recognisable companies. Twenty seven years and several different roles at Kawasaki UK provided him with a broad base of knowledge and skills, which went on to benefit Yamaha UK, KTM UK and finally Oxford Products in his role as marketing manager.
Oxford marketing director Henry Rivers Fletcher now has the task of filling the vacant role: “Simon is probably irreplaceable; such a huge range of abilities built through experience, wrapped up in a terrific personality. He brought to Oxford a deep understanding of and unbridled passion for motorcycles and the motorcycle industry – utterly undimmed after 40 years – and was able and willing to turn his hand to anything… always with a smile, quite often with a giggle! We will miss him as a colleague and as a friend.”
Hands-on in every way, both at work and at home, Belton has been and done most things on two wheels – from handy mechanic to amateur racer, photo shoot model to BSB series organiser – and is never happier than when touring Europe on his latest steed with wife Adrienne.
“It’s incredible to think that I have been in the motorcycle industry for more than 40 years,” said Belton. “I have seen things develop and change – domestic companies morph into huge European HQs, three-cylinder bikes coming to the fore, the emergence of electric bikes and shorter haircuts!
“I have loved working in the most dynamic and exciting industry outside of the fighter jet market and worked with some amazing brands. But now the time is right for me to step it down a few notches and my industry swan song with Oxford has been refreshing in that I have been working in an upbeat, creative and hugely dynamic and successful environment with some very talented people. Not a bad finish line for my career.”
Belton will remain in touch with his industry colleagues, partly because he will continue to do some part-time events work.