BikeBiz

Ex-Raleigh managing director and Bicycle Association president passes away

Ex-Raleigh managing director and former president of the Bicycle Association Sandy Roberts sadly passed away last week.

Sandy was born in 1931 in Rugby and was educated at Highgate School in London. He left to become an articled clerk and later successfully qualified as an accountant. He held several positions as a management accountant briefly interrupted by National Service, before joining his father at Raleigh in 1960 as a management accountant. He rapidly rose through the ranks holding several senior management positions and was appointed to his first directorship in 1967.

During the 37 years that he was to remain associated with the company, he held the positions of export sales director Raleigh Industries 1967 to 71, managing director Gazelle (a Dutch subsidiary of Raleigh) 1971 to 76,  assistant managing director TI Raleigh Industries 1976 to 79, managing director TI Raleigh International 1979 to 86, managing director/chairman Raleigh Industries 1987 to 1994, and finally deputy chairman from 1994 to 1998. 

During Sandy’s tenure as a Raleigh director two global changes occurred that had a fundamental effect on both Raleigh and the cycle market – the growth in car ownership during the 60s and 70s and the emergence of Far Eastern manufacturing in the 70s and 80s. 

Raleigh's David Moakes said of Roberts: "He is still well remembered and respected by many people both at Raleigh and in the wider cycle industry having worked at Raleigh for more than 37 years. Sandy has been an active member of the Centenary Club for over 37 years and during that time has left many of us with fond memories."