After 27 years of service, Suzuki GB area sales manager Clive Ellis, will finally hang-up his order book next month, as the 61 year-old retires from the business and industry he has served for much of his working life.

Joining the industry in 1969 as an area manager for Norton Motorcycles, Clive began working with the Suzuki brand in June 1981, seeing the business move under Heron Group management, before becoming a wholly owned subsidiary.

Working as an area manager for the Japanese brand throughout his employment, most recently as the central area sales manager, Clive has seen huge changes in the market, most notably seeing the transition of motorcycling from utility to leisure.

Talking about his 27 year term with Suzuki, Ellis said, “I’ve had a fantastic time with Suzuki, but I really can’t believe it’s been this long. There are many things that stand out as highlights, but for me, riding the very first GSX-R in 1985 sticks in my mind, along with visiting the factory in Japan also. I’d like to thank everyone at Suzuki, as well as all the dealers that I’ve worked with over the years. Motorcycles get in your blood and I really wouldn’t have wished to have spent the last 27 years in any other industry.”

Ellis from Kings Stanley, near Stroud, intends to concentrate his spare time on his other passion, windsurfing, and plans to pack up his camper van and head off in search of the sun when he finishes at the end of this month.

Suzuki GB managing director, Yasuharu Osawa commented, “We would all like to offer our extended thanks and gratitude to Clive for his service at Suzuki. We wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

For further press information contact Luke Plummer or Helen Morgan at the Suzuki GB Press Office (Motorcycles), Tel: 01296 680086 or 07725 956783.