Richard Alexander

1950-2025

Richard Alexander spent his whole working life with solus Honda dealer Tippetts of Surbiton, South London, rising from Saturday boy to managing director and establishing a Honda spares and sales service second to none. He died on Christmas Day, aged 75, as a result of Alzheimer’s.

Born in Epsom, Surrey, Richard joined Tippetts in 1965 as a Saturday boy aged 15 while studying mechanical engineering at Brooklands College, Weybridge, Surrey. In 1958, his father, Phil, had taken over the running of the business from founder Walter Tippett, who had established a vehicle-repair business in 1919. Post-WW2 Tippetts concentrated on the sale of British bikes, Phil riding trials, mainly on Greeves.

Alert to the potential of the new Honda marque and willing to take a chance, Phil Alexander made enquiries in 1959 and was appointed a Honda dealer in 1960. He had hitched Tippetts to a rapidly rising star and was reputedly the second official Honda dealer in the UK. He rapidly phased out British bikes to become solus Honda. Dealers in the area were soon knocking at Tippetts’ doors for new Hondas.

It was in this hotbed of Honda growth that Richard Alexander cut his trade teeth and bit deep into a Honda harvest of sales and racing successes. The spares back-up he developed made Tippetts nationally renowned, and he cared for his customers, putting on fun days and riding trips to European rounds of world championship road racing. Customers liked a boss who rode the product.

To maintain perspective on life and to stay fit, Richard was a bicycle racer and later took up golf, being held in high regard among motorcycling’s golfing fraternity.

Younger brother Mark joined the family business as a Saturday boy in 1979 and shared the kudos of Tippetts celebrating 50 years as a solus Honda dealer in 2010 and 60 years in 2020, plus winning the first-ever Honda President’s Award for long service in 2019 and many other awards.

Mark Alexander took over the running of the dealership in 2015 when Richard, aged 65, began to suffer Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The remarkable Tippetts innings with Honda came to an end in 2020 with good grace on both sides. The Alexander brothers were coping with illness and advancing years and had decided that corporate premises investment couldn’t be justified. Mark kept the business running, dealing in second-hand machines, until May 2021, when Tippetts, a name that had survived for more than a century, finally closed its doors.

Andrew Mineyko, Honda UK’s head of motorcycles and ATV, enjoyed a long association with Richard Alexander. He was a friend, a Honda associate, and a beneficiary of Richard’s golfing tuition. Reflecting on their many years in the world of Honda, he said: “Honda’s journey with Richard began when Tippetts took on the partnership with Honda Japan in 1960, before Honda UK existed.

“For more than six decades, Tippetts stood as a proud solus Honda Motorcycle and Power Products dealer, a testament to Richard’s dedication and love of motorcycling. Richard was more than a dealer. He was a passionate advocate for motorcycling and a true ambassador for the Honda brand. His knowledge was vast, his commitment unwavering, and his ability to challenge himself and Honda always stemmed from a desire to do what was best for customers.

“He understood that motorcycling was about more than just selling a bike. It was about people, experiences and community. His legendary ride-outs for fish and chips, organised with warmth and enthusiasm, captured that spirit perfectly.

“Richard’s relentless passion and integrity shaped not only Tippetts but also the wider industry. He was a force for good, a trusted partner, and a friend to many.

“All of us at Honda extend our deepest condolences to Richard’s family, and we honour his remarkable life and achievements.”

Richard Alexander leaves wife Hazel, sons Colin and Simon, and brothers Kenneth and Mark. His funeral took place at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve, near Guildford, Surrey, on 20 January. Donations can be made in memory of Richard to the Alzheimer’s Society: alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/donate-v.