Ultra Sport Team
MANAGEMENT, SALES & BRAND MANAGERS
GORDON WAY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Founder of the company Gordon takes overall responsibility for the direction of the company and is also heavily involved in key supplier relationships. A past competitor at National and International level and a World Speed Sailing Record Holder (windsurfing). Gordon continues to participate in the sports whenever possible – most active as a wakeboarder, wakesurfer and snowboarder. Ex President of SIGB (Snow Industries of Great Britain). Resilient and enthusiastic best describe his approach to both business, sport and life.
GORDON WAY
NEIL STAPLES
SALES DIRECTOR
Neil has worked with the company for more than 25 years becoming Sales Director in 2001. He takes overall responsibility for the sales direction of all brands and works closely with the sales team and key accounts. At the same time he is closely involved with all supplier relationships and brand management. A past National and International Tournament Waterskier he is now a keen MTB, road biker and snowboarder.
NEIL STAPLES
THIERRY WAY
DIRECTOR & BRAND MANAGER
Thierry (T) has been fully immersed in action sports from a very young age, spending the summer wakeboarding and the winter snowboarding. Starting with the company at just 16 years old (2008) he put his experience as a rider to good use which, combined with his enthusiasm and knowledge of all the brands, quickly made T a key member of the team. Now taking on Director’s responsibilities as well as managing some key products and seeking out new brands makes for a busy working life.
THIERRY WAY
SOPHIE HALCROW
BRAND MANAGER
Sophie joined us in 2020 amid the Covid lockdown, and takes responsibility for our bike brands Smith & Tocsen. With a 20 year background in outdoor, snowsports and bike retail sales and marketing, having worked for major retailer Ellis Brigham & TSA, for many years, plus Osprey Europe, and more recently a flourishing independent bike shop, she understands retail and products across our industries. With a passion for all things outdoors: biking (MTB, road & gravel); hiking; snowboarding, and more recently SUP, she loves the action sports life and can relate to your business and consumers
SOPHIE HALCROW
SCOTT COHOON
BRAND MANAGER
Scott has over 30 years experience in the Watersports industry. Initially working for major watersports brands he later joined the family watersports retail business helping develop and build this for the next 20 years. He has now brought his wealth of experience to Ultra Sport where he takes full responsibility for O’Brien Watersports, Straightline, TAHE and Kilpi. Scott is, as you would expect, a keen watersports enthusiast but also bikes and snow skis.
SCOTT COHOON
ANDY PARISH
BRAND MANAGER
Andy joined us in 2021 and looks after Tecnica and Blizzard Ski products and Tecnica Outdoor (footwear) and also gets involved in Kilpi and Garmont. He has been involved with skiing and the outdoor industry for over 25 years working with many leading brands. Andy’s passion for skiing and all things outdoors started at a young age, leading him to qualify and work as a ski instructor in Canada, a rep/guide in Tignes and the Snozone when back in the UK. Before working as a sales rep, Andy spent many years in retail at Lockwoods learning the intricacies of boot fitting, footbeds and feet from some of the best in the business. His knowledge and experience is a great asset to both our customers and to Ultra Sport.
ANDY PARISH
ACCOUNTS, CUSTOMER SERVICES, ADMIN & MARKETING
CLAIR VERNON
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Claire joined the company in 2014 and was promoted to FD in January 2017. Previously Claire spent 5 years working in a top tier Accountancy Practice and has a wealth of knowledge across a number of industries. In her spare time Claire plays netball and badminton (amongst other sports) although now her spare time is mostly taken up with family life. Her steady, methodical and precise approach to work keeps the business on the straight and narrow.
CLAIRE VERNON
AARON BRIGGS
GENERAL MANAGER
Aaron joined the team to manage the 3PL offering but his responsibilities have expanded across the business. Sport plays a huge part in Aaron’s life as he coaches football, plays rugby, has a real passion for the outdoors and supports his children with their various sporting activities. Aaron is a real team player and puts his organisational and project management skills to use wherever they can solve a problem, as well as being our unofficial IT support.
AARON BRIGGS
SARAH REASON
ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
SARAH REASON
KIERAN ASHDOWN
ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT
Kieran came in to help us out occasionally and is now a permanent and important member of the team assisting in accounts, with QPR, The Cricketer (two of our 3PL customers), assisting with logistics and generally being an all-round ‘good egg’ who will help out wherever his talents are required. Kieran has a calm approach to life and a real ‘get it done’ approach to just about everything he turns his hand to.
KIERAN ASHDOWN
SHIPPING, LOGISTICS & WARRANTY
MICHELLE ASHDOWN
LOGISTICS MANAGER / FLAGS4EVENTS
Michelle takes charge of all logistics within Ultra Sport. If it’s to do with the warehouse, goods in, out, or in storage, then it falls under Michelle’s’ careful guiding hand. At the same time Michelle runs the Flags4Events division producing flags, banners, tents and an array of promotional equipment for all kinds of businesses. In her spare time Michelle is an enthusiastic wakeboarder, wakesurfer and snowboarder.
MICHELLE ASHDOWN
LEE RADFORD
WAREHOUSE AND WARRANTY
Lee is a very enthusiastic snowboarder and biker and really knows his stuff. If you get to chat with Lee, ask him about his historic snowboard collection which is taking over his house. Working in the warehouse and assisting with warranty, Lee has been with Ultra Sport for years and knows his way around both the warehouse and almost all of our kit.
LEE RADFORD
BOZHIDAR GEORGIEV
WAREHOUSE
BOZHIDAR GEORGIEV
ANNA BALAZ
WAREHOUSE
Anna, originally from Romania, came to us in 2019 and quickly settled into our multinational warehouse family. She is a very happy member of our team with huge enthusiasm, commitment and determination to get things right. If you ever need a helping hand before or after hours Anna will be there for you.
