British Cycling has announced the appointment of a people director for the first time. The organisation says that the new role is part of a transformation that puts "the welfare of athletes and staff at its core".
Michael Chivers has been appointed to the role as part of BC's reorganisation of its executive leadership team. He has previously worked for the AA, Hampshire County Council, Sony, Sony Ericsson and Maersk Line.
The creation of the new position comes after allegations of bullying and sexism within the governing body, specifically from former Great Britain riders, and a subsequent internal investigation.
>>> How British Cycling hopes to change culture that led to allegations of sexism and discrimination
Upon his appointment in March, new BC chair Jonathan Browning unveiled an action plan that focused on the culture and behaviour of its staff and coaches, and the welfare of its riders.
“Michael Chivers’ experience and expertise in change and people management will be invaluable in pushing ahead British Cycling’s plans to ensure the organisation is effective and accountable in its management of athletes and staff so that it fosters a transparent and inclusive culture, following past failings in this area," said Browning.
In his statement, Chivers said that BC has previously been "results-driven" and that this has on occasion been at the "expense" of athlete welfare.
“There is no doubt that British Cycling’s major success story in terms of both elite glory and participation has been down to the exceptional work of its people," said Chivers. "But for too long we’ve been a purely results driven organisation and it is clear that this has sometimes been at the expense of ensuring that our athletes and staff are looked after, with due care and proper processes followed.
>>> Andy Tennant speaks out to defend British Cycling approach over bullying claims
“As part of the wide-scale professionalisation of our policies and procedures, we need to ensure that we have an engaged and motivated workforce and that our athletes are given the best experience from the moment they step on to one of our pathways right through to the time when they leave us.
"There are only six roles on the executive leadership team at British Cycling and the fact that one of them is solely dedicated to athlete and staff welfare and performance is a sign of how seriously the organisation is taking this. I feel privileged to be able to dedicate myself to making sure that we absolutely get this right.”
The people director role joins those of chief executive officer, chief operating officer, performance director, commercial director and director of cycling in BC's executive leadership team.
-
-
Tweets of the week: Evie Richards tries skateboarding, Alex Dowsett's puncture nightmare and more
Here's a selection of our favourite tweets from the last seven days
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL review
A quality option that offers up a greater battery life than the competition and produces a wide beam that helps keep your peripheral vision informed
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan •
-
Rapha and British Cycling team up to create 'City Academies' diversity fund
This new initiative is said to be integral to British Cycling's push to make the sport more inclusive
By Jonny Long •
-
British cycling and its biggest riders taking on the Government is a major deal
Britons can only spend three months within any six month period in an EU country
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
New British Cycling campaign hopes to reinvigorate grassroots bike racing
The national governing body says that millions of adults are ready to start racing
By Alex Ballinger •
-
European Track Championships cancelled after ‘hijacking’ of Ryanair flight in Belarus
The European Championships were the last major event before the Tokyo Olympics
By Alex Ballinger •
-
British Cycling concerned about ‘substantial breach of privacy’ over Dame Sarah Storey’s backdated TUE for salbutamol
The governing body said it is worried about how the revelation could impact athletes who require medical treatment
By Alex Ballinger •
-
British Cycling joins social media boycott to protest online abuse towards athletes
British Cycling will join the upcoming social media boycott to protest the online abuse athletes face.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Richard Freeman permanently struck off over testosterone delivery
Richard Freeman has been permanently struck off after ordering a testosterone package delivered to British Cycling headquarters in 2011.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Cycling groups ask for urgent clarification over ‘stay local’ guidance during lockdown
Cycling groups have written to the government for urgent clarification over the ‘stay local’ guidance for exercise during the coronavirus lockdown.
By Alex Ballinger •
