Simon Mottram stepping down as CEO of Rapha

[cgolvin]

Surprised that no one had posted anything about this earlier, but maybe no one cares (I'm not stating any investment, just the facts, ma'am). Ending his reign as CEO at the start of the new year but remaining on the board. New CEO William Kim has previous experience at Gucci, Burberry, AllSaints.

RCC members have … questions about the direction and fate of the club.

[jimoots]

Do you have a link? Appears not to be in the news (from a quick google anyway)

[Mr B]

https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/desire-...m-to-step-down

[e-RICHIE]

My comment on the original Rouleur Tweet.

Whoa.

I met SM when he visited my Chester workroom back when all garments were made in Britain. I was impressed then, and continued to be over the years and changes.

All the indie brands owe Rapha for paving the way for them. SM & Co started the niche, and perfected it.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

My comment on the original Rouleur Tweet.

Nice. Even the Rapha haters have to admit that SM clearly has a deeply felt love of cycling. IMO he's a great ambassador for the sport.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

Nice. Even the Rapha haters have to admit that SM clearly has a deeply felt love of cycling. IMO he's a great ambassador for the sport.

I have always said, and will reiterate again now, the haters only hate because they wish they had the idea first.

[charliedid]

Well done, sir.

[pasadena]

He started an industry, shaped what road cycling kit is today.

Rapha is a cycling brand, now is a fashion brand. Doesn't bode well for innovation or quality but... time will tell. Fashion brands haven't done well taking on cycling.
I hope Mottram's influence continues...

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

IMO he's a great ambassador for the sport.

Some will disagree, but as well as being a great, truly passionate ambassador for cycling, he was a great CEO to work under, too. He was always very very good to me, and I was but the lowly I.T. guy at the time. He knew everyone's name in the building until the Walton buyout.

[jimoots]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

My comment on the original Rouleur Tweet.

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

Whoa.

I met SM when he visited my Chester workroom back when all garments were made in Britain. I was impressed then, and continued to be over the years and changes.

All the indie brands owe Rapha for paving the way for them. SM & Co started the niche, and perfected it.

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

I have always said, and will reiterate again now, the haters only hate because they wish they had the idea first.

Yeah, agree.

I have a real fondness for Rapha, admittedly I do not buy or wear their gear like I did 5-6-7 years ago, but it is good stuff and certain technical items they make are still my go to.

That said, I do feel like they paved the way and subsequently lost their way. I don't say that with any ill feeling toward the brand, more just a sense of sadness?

Maybe that's just part of the constant state of flux when it comes to business; it's easy to get to the top, hard to stay there.

[Clean39T]

https://cyclingtips.com/2020/03/from...uilding-rapha/

Great podcast w Mottram..

I agree with a lot of what was said above.

I don’t think they’ve lost their way so much as grown to scale, which is the way of the world - and unless you are willing to say “I’ve earned enough and want to stay small”, that’s how these things go.

No Rapha, no Isadore or Eliel.

And that would be a shame.

[weisan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn7GOjaXtEI

[roguedog]

Hmm..

I loved the Rapha stuff. Innovative. They fit well, felt good on, didn't SCREAM cycling robot (.. cough.. Assos) and didn't have branding all over.

Just classy, understated design. Still love the stuff I bought years ago.

Of late, the branding was getting a bit much. I feel like they may have gotten a bit off track. Gotten a bit comfortable since I don't see as much innovation.

Still kind of my favorite brand as I like their materials, look and feel. Just not as much as initially.

I really hope this does not spell the brand totally losing their cycling roots and going into more fluff than function.

[zzy]

Gotta wonder if the RCC's days are numbered and the Walmart-ification of Rapha will be complete.

[Hilltopwalters]

Used to work for Rapha, loved my time there. Good memories, good pals. Still stop in every now and then. They definitely went the way of a global business in many ways. Don't blame em. They're OG.