Bob Howden, the Acting Chair of British Cycling and a member for 43 years, has been elected as British Cycling’s new President, the sport’s governing body announced today, following its annual National Council meeting in Crewe.
Howden, who has served as British Cycling’s Acting Chair since former President Brian Cookson took up his post as President of the world cycling body - the UCI - in September, has been a Board member for the past 13 years. He has also been the Chair of the Yorkshire region since its inception in 2001.
Commenting on his appointment, British Cycling’s President, Bob Howden, said;
“I am delighted to have been elected as British Cycling’s President with a mandate to push on with ensuring that British Cycling is achieving its objectives. We will remain true to what has become our tradition: to succeed on the world stage and to inspire people to enjoy riding their bikes more often, be it for sport, recreation or transport.
“Brian Cookson is a tough act to follow – especially when you look at the amazing roll call of successes that British Cycling has enjoyed under his leadership. We are certainly riding high and it’s now my job to ensure that we build on this over the next four-year cycle. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”
British Cycling’s Chief Executive, Ian Drake, added:
“Bob Howden has a long history of working for the sport at all levels – from working as a volunteer and a Commissaire, to leading a Regional Board and sitting on various Commissions – he truly knows cycling inside out. There is no better person to build on the foundations Brian Cookson has laid for cycling in Great Britain.”
Howden has previously served as Chair of the Regional Commission, the Commissaire and Referees Commission, and the Anti-Doping Commission, as well as being a member of the Audit and Assurance Commission.
Howden raced for 24 years and was a former Junior Division Road Champion, representing West Yorkshire at senior level. He also has significant experience as a race organiser. Howden was founder and Chair of the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling and organised the National Men’s and Women’s Elite Road Race Championships in 2005, 2008 and 2012. Howden also organised the annual Ryedale Grand Prix Premier Calendar Road Race between 2005 and 2012 and is a National Level Road Commissaire.
Aside from cycling, Howden is owner and Managing Director of Ongoing Developments - a group of companies that includes Grass Concrete Limited, the inventors and worldwide providers of the Grasscrete paving system.
National Council representatives also today voted through changes to the make up of British Cycling’s Board. Instead of having eight solely elected Board members, British Cycling can now elect up to seven members and can appoint three Non-Executive Directors. The first two Non-Executive Directors will be appointed in April 2014 with a further Director appointed the following year.
