Vice-president steps up as only candidate to replace Brian Cookson
Bob Howden has been elected as president of British Cycling (BC), after the governing body’s National Council meeting in Crewe, Cheshire. The Yorkshireman has been a board member of BC for the last 13 years and, as vice-president, has served as acting-chair since the election of incumbent president Brian Cookson to the International Cycling Union (UCI) presidency in late September.
“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,” said Howden. “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. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”
Following the election of Cookson to the UCI presidency, Howden was the only nominated candidate to replace him at BC. He 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.
He also organised the Ryedale Grand Prix Premier Calendar race between 2005 and 2012, organised the Great Britain national road championships in 2005, 2008 and 2012, and was founder and chair of the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling.
Howden was a racing cyclist for 24 years, taking a Junior Division Road championship, and represented West Yorkshire at senior level.
“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,” said BC chief executive Ian Drake. “There is no better person to build on the foundations Brian Cookson has laid for cycling in Great Britain.”