BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Ben Hazell will take up a new role as sales representative for the South region with Kona UK.
Hazell joins Kona from The Boost Bike Hub, Brockenhurst, where he was store manager and has previously worked for Hargroves Cycles as a sales advisor. Hazell has worked in retail for over ten years in both the UK and Australia and brings a great deal of retail experience to the position. He is a Cytech Level 2 qualified mechanic and has an NVQ in Business Retail Management, Level 3.
"I’m a Cyclist from the New Forest, UK. I started out like most, getting into BMX and Downhill MTB. Then as time went on, I found that I had a real interest for Bicycle Trials, which really got me out riding as much as possible. As I got a little older I realised that the constant falls sustained doing trials, combined with the need for a fitness-based hobby, meant that I was heading out less often on the trials bike and started to enjoy more XC/trail mountain biking,” commented Hazell. “
This is something I still have a real passion for to this day, and you can usually find me flying around the local trail centres or across the many tracks of the New Forest. I do also enjoy road cycling, which I discovered a little later. I have experienced the joys of roads in Majorca twice now and love exploring the many quiet lanes local to me on a sunny day off,” he concluded.
Kona UK sales manager Scott Belshaw commented: "It’s great to have Ben joining the sales team; he has excellent retail experience in the cycle trade and is hugely passionate about Kona. His role will be to manage our existing clients in the South but also open new accounts.
“The 2018 / 19 product range for Kona is very exciting and varied, we have our traditional and relaxed MTB trail bikes, which we are known for but also an amazing range of drop handlebar gravel/adventure bikes, plus all new E-bikes. The UK team are very excited to be working with Ben and we look forward to seeing further growth in the UK."
Jim Holmstrom, Kona Europe also added: "Kona is 30 years old this year and it’s amazing to see that we are still making fun, cool and cutting edge bikes. It’s a great time to join the Kona family as we increase our market share in MTB, gravel bikes and e-biking. Good luck Ben!"
For new dealer inquiries in the South West, Hazell can be contacted at or 07712 420 915.
