British Cycling Elects New President

Bob Howden has been elected as the new president of British Cycling, succeeding Brian Cookson who has taken over at the helm of the International Cycling Federation (UCI).

Howden had been the acting chairman since Cookson’s departure and ran unopposed for the permanent position. He has been on the Board of British Cycling for the past thirteen years.

Howden said of his election: ‘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.’

Howden also praised the work done by Cookson: ‘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 and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.’

Prior to his entry into sport administration Howden spent 24 years as a cyclist and was a junior road champion. He then founded the Yorkshire Festival Cycling and acted as the chair of British Cycling’s Regional Commission and Anti-Doping Commission.

Chief executive of British Cycling Ian Drake said of Howden: ‘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.’