Cycling UK announces its new Chair and Vice Chair

Dan’s association with the charity started 26 years ago when he joined Kidderminster CTC, aged 12. Since then, he’s cycled throughout the world - across Canada by tandem, through New Zealand, Europe, Iceland, the West Coast of the USA, Paris-Brest-Paris four times, London-Edinburgh-London once, club rides, utility cycling and, as recently as the past few weeks, a 1,200km Audax along the Great Ocean Road in Australia. 

Dan became a Trustee of Cycling UK in January 2012 and was elected Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2014. Professionally, Dan is Head of Performance and IT for Dudley & Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

In his own words, Dan’s vision for Cycling UK is clear and unambiguous: “I want as many people as possible to enjoy cycling, whatever they choose to ride and whatever type of cycling they enjoy. To achieve this, it is important that we remain focused on three groups: our current and future members and supporters, our staff, and our partners with whom we work to deliver our vision and strategy.” 

I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and building on David’s legacy – they’re big boots to fill but I’m confident with the help of the Board, the organisation and the members, 2017 will be another exciting year for Cycling UK.

Dan Howard, Chair of Cycling UK 

Dan replaces Cycling UK’s previous Chair, Prof David Cox OBE, who sat as Chair for five years. Commenting on his appointment, Dan Howard said: “It’s a great honour not just to represent the UK’s leading organisation working on behalf of all cyclists and its members, but also to have the confidence of my fellow Trustees. 

“I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and building on David’s legacy – they’re big boots to fill but I’m confident with the help of the Board, the organisation and the members, 2017 will be another exciting year for Cycling UK.”

New Vice Chair, Jaki Lowe has served as a Cycling UK Trustee and as regional councillor for the East Midlands since 2012. Her professional expertise is in Organisational Development and Human Resource Management, with experience at board level in the private sector, charity sector and the NHS.
 
A life member of Cycling UK, Jaki rides with friends locally and enjoys cycle touring, which she says: “has an ability to transport you physically and mentally to a different place”. 

Jaki is a firm believer in Cycling UK’s legacy as a membership organisation; alongside this, she believes that building wider participation and membership “is crucial to ensuring a long-term successful organisation”. 
 
In her mission statement, she explained: “We [Cycling UK] are now well-placed to build upon our successful work in cycling development to create more opportunities for diverse communities to come together and experience the joy of cycling. We must continue to build our brand and put ourselves in the best possible position to influence the cycling agenda, funding, policy, infrastructure and associated legislation.”

As a member, a Trustee and now Vice Chair, we should ask not what Cycling UK can do for you, but ask what we can do for Cycling UK.

Jaki Lowe, Vice Chair of Cycling UK

Echoing a former US president’s words, Jaki said: “I believe that as a member, a Trustee and now Vice Chair, we should ask not what Cycling UK can do for you, but ask what we can do for Cycling UK. As Vice Chair, I’ve the opportunity to help this charity, so dear to so many of us, to succeed in its mission as the cyclists’ champion, and will work hard to ensure that all cyclists’ views are represented.”

Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK’s Chief Executive, welcomed the new appointments and said: “Cycling UK is fortunate to have Trustees of such high calibre, like Dan and Jaki, who will aid in the direction of our charity and the Board. We have a challenging year ahead of us, but with our new governance now reflecting how a national charity can work with more diversity towards its members and supporters, and its skills base increasing to support its mission of cycling for all, I’m confident Cycling UK will make sure all cyclists’ interests are well looked after.”

The Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually at the first board meeting of the Trustees every year.