Chris Tavener
Chairman ( Director )
Joined the Register in 1972 and bought my first real Riley in 1973 from an ad in the E&M, this was a 1936 Kestrel Sprite BVC 832, now I'm told converted to a Special. Have owned total of 10 different 1930's Riley’s since.
Committed to the Register, having attended every National Rally since 1978 and have judged the Clifford Stanley class in the concours for many years. Proposed and donated the annual 'Bull' trophy in 1986 and am currently the lead judge of a team of 3.
Reinvigorated the Sussex Area in 1978 and was Area Sec for 18 years until 1996. Joined the national committee in 2010 and was chairman from 2012-2017. Organised with a local team, a number of events including AGM weekend and the Diamond Jubilee in 2014.
A member of the Riley Motor Club and served on their London Centre committee during the 1980's as an event’s organiser.
Nigel Dowding
Technical Director
Originally from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and currrently very settled near Silverstone.
Born 1962, Left Secondary School to take up a Craft Apprenticeship with Dowty Group in Cheltenham (now Messier Dowty) to train as a machinist (Milling, Turning, Grinding etc).
Keen Motorcyclist in my youth and did competitive motorcycle Drag Racing.
Ran my own very successful Precision Engineering Business from 1989 to 2017 when my wife and I turned the business into an Employee Owned Business owned equally by the Employees. Therefore as of 2017 I am retired.
Currently own, maintain, race and rally a 1934 MK2 Aston Martin.
My Riley is a 1930 Brooklands, Chassis 8073 which I am working on with a view to racing and rallying.
Nigel is a member of both the Technical team and the Directors team
Colin Lea
Finance Director
I live on Merseyside and I am responsible for financial matters for the Spares Team.
Since joining the Register over 30 years ago, I have attended almost every Coventry Rally.
I run a 1934 12/6 Kestrel and a 1937 12/4 Lynx Sprite.
Part of an active Register area team, partaking in several week-end outings each year.
Mike Lovibond
Quality Director & Problem Manager
Mike owns/drives a 1933 Ascot(12/4) and a 1937 Lynx Sprite - and has been rebuilding a 1933 9hp Trinity for some years! Prior to joining RRSL Mike was the Riley Register Area Secretary for Devon and Somerset.
Mike is a member of the Quality team and the Directors team.
As Quality Manager, Mike is the first point of contact for any queries raised by the membership.
Geoff Critchley
Purchasing Director
I've been a Register Member since 1992 when I bought my 1938 Six-Light Kestrel as a barn find. I restored it over 6 years and still own it 27 years later. I spent 20 years sourcing and selling used Riley parts as a hobby with two Riley friends while jointly finishing a part restored '9' Lynx and building two Specials; a Brooklands Replica and a 'Big4' . All of this leading to a broad knowledge of the various Riley configurations, but 27 years is only a 'toe in the water' with the Riley.
Geoff is a member of both the Purchasing & Stores team and the Directors team.
Peter Gates
Technical team member
Currently rebuilding a 9HP Gamecock, with a 1932 Monaco awaiting resurrection.
Peter is a member of the Technical team.
James Riley
Sales and Stores
James runs our stores operation for us and handles all the aspects of parts provision from goods inwards inspection through dealing with enquires from members to dispatching parts to members in all corners of the world.
James has a number of prewar Riley cars that are work in progress and occupy his leisure time.
James is a member of the Purchasing and Stores team.