- Nick English, the co-founder of Bremont Watches, is announced today as the new Executive Chairman of MOKE International
- English, who defied convention and scaled a British luxury watch company to unprecedented heights, now joins MOKE, a privately owned British business that has sold over 500 vehicles to date
- In 2022, MOKE became the first heritage automotive brand to go 100% Electric and is now in talks with strategic partners and investors as it moves into its growth phase
London, 26 June 2024: MOKE International (MOKE) can confirm the appointment of Nick English, co-founder of Bremont Watches, as its new Executive Chairman, effective immediately. This strategic leadership change heralds an exciting new chapter for the iconic MOKE brand, which was established in 1964 and is celebrated for its distinctive blend of heritage and innovation. Moving into its growth phase, English joins at a pivotal time as MOKE progresses with strategic partners and investors to pursue further international advancement.
Nick English, who famously co-founded Bremont Watches with his brother Giles, brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing and luxury lifestyle brands to MOKE. He remains a board director of Bremont, where he grew the business – that became synonymous with the repatriation and production of luxury mechanical timepieces on British shores – before handing over to new management as part of a strategic investment round, valuing the business at £100m. His vision and expertise will be instrumental in driving MOKE’s expansion and continuing its legacy of delivering exceptional and unique vehicles to freedom fighters in beautiful locations around the globe.
Discussing his appointment, Nick English, Executive Chairman, MOKE International said: “I am thrilled to be joining MOKE International at such a pivotal time. The MOKE brand holds a special place in automotive history, and I look forward to working with the talented team to build on its legacy, continue and grow the manufacturing of the cars in the UK, and explore new opportunities for innovation and expansion. Isobel has done a fabulous job homologating the Electric MOKE for use in both USA and EU, and I’m much looking forward to building on that.”
As part of this transition, Isobel Dando will be stepping away from her role as CEO, which she held for the past four years. MOKE International extends its heartfelt gratitude to Isobel for her contribution to relaunching the brand. She commented: “Hiring Nick is a real coup for MOKE. I am delighted to be handing over the reins to him; to further build on everything the team have achieved to date. He is passionate about British engineering – be it flying planes, making watches or driving cars – and, as a serial entrepreneur, I believe he has exactly what we need to further develop the business.”
MOKE has raised $35m of investment to date, which it has deployed to reshore production to the UK, secure its trademark, and engineer and homologate the Electric MOKE in both the USA and Europe. It was the first electric vehicle with no roof or doors to achieve M1 Small Series approval in Europe and the first to be granted NHTSA and EPA approval in the US through the Low Volume Vehicle Manufacturers Act. The Electric MOKE is predominantly made of European parts and is manufactured in the UK.
The success of MOKE attracted a bid for the business by EV Technology Group in 2022 in a deal valuing the shares at up to $120m, however MOKE International retained its independence and the proposed merger with Fablink, the manufacturing business, never materialised. With a waiting list of circa 800 orders worth over $25m, MOKE International and its board are excited about ramping up, and vertically integrating production in the UK.
