Press
Welch founded BlackCircles in 2001, the world’s first 'click & fit' for tires, and led it to become the United Kingdom’s largest and most successful online tire retailerin 2015. He continues to advise the board of Blackcircles, as well being the Chairman of Atterley, a growing international network of independent fashion retailers.
“Michael is a pioneer in the e-commerce and tire industries and we are excited to welcome him to SimpleTire," said Andy Chalofsky, SimpleTire CEO. “We believe his strong experience, especially in market development activity, will be extremely valuable as SimpleTire continues to grow.”
SimpleTire recorded record sales in 2016 and is forecasting triple-digit growth in 2017. SimpleTire has a network of over 2,000 suppliers, 10,000 installation centers, and sells over 300 brands of tires, and has a Net Promoter Score (NPS), which measures customer loyalty, of 76 which represents one of the highest figures in the industry.
We conducted an exhaustive search for someone who would further strengthen our board’s breadth of talent and background, and we are delighted to have identified such an outstanding individual,” said Mr. Chalofsky. “I’m confident that Michael is going to make an important and positive impact on our company.”
Welch started his first online tire business in 1995 in Liverpool, England when he was just 17. He sold that business to UK's Fast-Fit chain Kwik-Fit and joined them before leaving in 2002 to launch Blackcircles.com.
“I admire SimpleTIre for its innovative business model and dynamic leadership team, and I’m honored to be joining their exciting journey,” said Welch. “I have tremendous respect for Andy, Josh, Kenny, and the rest of the team, and I look forward to working with them.”
Welch is also the Chairman and Founder of The Welch Trust, a charitable trust which aims to provide grants to support children and young people. The trust’s focus is on making life easier for children and families whose children need it most, with a particular interest in supporting adoption & fostering, critical & terminal illness, and the advancement of business education. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2016 for services to business and charity and in the same year was honored with a Doctorate for enterprise from Edinburgh Napier University.