Local businessman Andrew Jay is bringing his considerable commercial experience and enthusiasm to Orwell Motorcycles.
As a close associate of both Dave Willis and Rob Walters, Andrew has been offering them advice for the last few years so it was a very natural transition for him to take up a director’s role and acquire shares in the business.
Dave and Rob bought Orwell Motorcycles from Ray Walters in 2017. Rob will continue to deliver and collect motorbikes, and help in the workshop, but he has resigned as a director and sold his shares in the business.
Andrew, who grew up in Otley, started riding motocross bikes on muddy farm fields years ago and is a very keen motorcyclist.
“Over the years Orwell Motorcycles has done work on bikes I have owned since it was at its original site and I have bought motorbikes from the business so I have a long association with it.”
Andrew shares his life with Inge and, between them, they have four children – Jake, Derry, Emma and Xander. Incidentally, Xander is the new ‘Saturday boy’ at Orwell so he will be seen polishing bikes every weekend!
“Everything I do is generational and about creating a legacy,” says Andrew.
“The Orwell business has a clear brand identity and history with an incredible team and a fantastic group of loyal customers which is what gives the business its strength.
“These ‘foundations’ give the business values which entirely align with my own. Together, we are stronger!
“I am totally committed to supporting and working with Dave Willis and Orwell Motorcycles.”
As a keen motorcyclist, but without a motorbike since selling the Kawasaki Z900RS he purchased from Orwell in 2022, Andrew is looking forward to getting back on two wheels. Buying a motorbike from Orwell will help him experience all of the businesses processes in action first-hand.
His biggest decision will be which fantastic bike to go for – N+1 perhaps!
Dave said: “Andrew and I will combine our business and people skills to develop the team here to ensure the service we offer to our incredible customers and our internal team just gets better and better.
“Through this we will define our business as being better than anyone else out there!”