1956-2025
Colin Pitman, who played key sales and product development roles with bike clothing and accessories specialists Oxford Fairings, Frank Thomas and Merlin Partnership, died in September aged 69.
Born in Park Royal, Middlesex, and brought up in Wembley, London, his career included three years riding with the Royal Signals White Helmets display team. He was their jump specialist because of his light, slim build and strength. Displays included Germany’s Brandenburg Gate and London’s Mall in 1977 as part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. His aerobatics included flights over a Rolls-Royce, and hero stunt rider Eddie Kidd quizzed him about his jump technique.
Colin left school aged 16 to become an apprentice toolmaker. A strong work ethic quickly became apparent. He couldn’t stand being told to stop work at the end of the day if he hadn’t completed a task. The enforcement of strict hours frustrated him so much that he quit to join the army aged 18.
He was posted to Catterick Camp in Yorkshire for basic training, followed by two years in Germany. A fellow soldier decided to return to Catterick to ride with the White Helmets, and Colin followed follow his lead. It was at Catterick that he met Jackie. They were married in 1978.
After breaking a collarbone in a fall in 1979, Colin decided to leave the army and join the motorcycle trade. He applied for a job with Oxford Fairings. Oxford owner Alec Hammond, offered him an Oxfordshire-based sales position, but Yorkshire girl Jackie didn’t want to move. Hammond was impressed enough by Colin to re-arrange his staffing so that Colin could become a northern agent based from home in Richmond, Yorkshire, where he spent the rest of his life.
Keen to expand his product portfolio as a northern agent, Pitman approached Northamptonshire-based Frank Thomas clothing in 1980. FT, created by Peter Laughton, was on the cusp of stellar expansion. Colin was appointed full-time in 1981 and would spend 30 years with the brand. These were happy and exciting growth years, with Colin becoming sales director and shareholder.
His next move came in 2011, when he was one of the five founders of clothing specialists Merlin Partnership in Birmingham. The directors’ vision was a fusion of high street fashion and motorcycle protection. Merlin is now internationally renowned.
Cancer forced Colin’s retirement in 2017 after staying at work as long as he possibly could.
“His work was his life,” says Jackie. “He was always smart, always wore a tie and always had a smile on his face. When we met people on holiday, he always knew where their nearest dealer was, no matter where they lived in the country. He loved his job so much, but it was only to give his family and me the best life.
“Away from work, he loved fishing, golf, gardening, playing darts in the local pub and following football. Later in life, he took up woodworking. He had masses of tools. And he liked to attend annual White Helmets reunions.”
Frank Thomas, founder, Peter Laughton said: “Colin was the perfect sales person – irrepressibly enthusiastic, hard working and with a great sense of humour. He joined Frank Thomas in 1980 when the company was just over a year old.
“After a year, he joined us full-time as sales manager to help build a national sales team. His first appointment was Malcolm Jeffs, an industry veteran who spent the next 30 years with him in a whirlwind of growth that included appointing distributors overseas and opening departments in 28 countries.
“Colin became sales director and stayed with Frank Thomas after it was sold to ABN AMRO Capital in 2003.
“I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He was our third employee and an important part of Frank Thomas. He was quite a character, and was very proud of his time with the White Helmets.”
Merlin’s brand and product director, James Franklin, said: “From the very beginning, Colin helped shape who we are not just through his relentless work ethic, but through his passion, sense of humour, and unwavering belief in doing everything to the highest standard. He was truly a remarkable person, both in business and in his personal life. He will be deeply missed.“
Colin Pitman leaves wife Jackie, son Lee, daughter Hayley and granddaughters Eve, Isla and Sunny.