Sarah Mitchell appointed as Cycling UK’s new chief executive

Sarah Mitchell is standing down as the chief executive at Heart of the City, a social business which advises on responsible business, to take on the the role of CEO at Cycling UK.

She is a former chief executive of Carers Network and head of housing at Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, and will take over from interim chief executive, Pete Fitzboydon, in October.

Mr Fitzboydon was appointed in April after the departure of Paul Tuohy, who’d been at the helm with Cycling UK for five years.

Sarah is a keen cyclist who is eager to encourage people from all communities to cycle more, not only to improve the nation’s health and the environment, but to add a little bit of pleasure to everyone’s lives.

We have a massive opportunity to support more people from communities all over the UK to get out on their bikes

Sarah Mitchell, new Cycling UK chief executive

She said: “'I am thrilled to be joining the Cycling UK team at this really important time for cycling. We have a massive opportunity to support more people from communities all over the UK to get out on their bikes and I look forward to being part of the movement to make that happen.”

Cycling UK is two years into a five-year strategy in which it set out a bold ambition to inspire millions more people to cycle by 2023.

Dan Howard, chair of trustees, said: “We’re delighted to appoint Sarah as our new chief executive as she brings a wealth of experience working within social change, on environmental and sustainability issues, and working with underrepresented groups.

“Sarah’s expertise will enable Cycling UK to build on over 140 years of heritage to better support our members, beneficiaries and all those who wish to cycle.

“The future for cycling in the UK has never looked brighter, with more people on their bikes as a result of the coronavirus crisis and the government announcing the most comprehensive package of measures to promote cycling we’ve ever seen.

“As the prime minister said himself, it’s a 'golden age' for cycling and Sarah will be joining us at a critical period when the opportunity to forever change the landscape of cycling in this country lies within our grasp.”