Cycling UK has appointed former Sustrans director Steve Brooks FRSA as its new director of external affairs, with Mr Brooks taking on the role next month.
With over 25 years of experience in strategic communications and public affairs, Mr Brooks has worked with organisations including Oxfam, the Sustainable Development Commission and the Electoral Reform Society.
He has also previously spent nearly five years at Sustrans (now the Walk, Wheel Cycle Trust), with almost three of those years spent as the organisation's executive director from 2018 to 2021. In this role, he helped establish the organisation's UK external affairs directorate.
As well as this, he also co-founded the Walking & Cycling Alliance, played ‘a key role' in securing significant additional funding for active travel, and is also currently a board member for Living Streets.
Cycling UK CEO, Sarah Mitchell, said: ‘I'm delighted that Steve is joining us, he brings with him deep knowledge of active travel and of effective influencing, as well as broad knowledge from across the charity sector. Crucially, he also shares our passion for impact and our determination to enable many more people to have healthier, happier and greener lives through cycling. I'm looking forward to welcoming him to the team.'
Mr Brooks added: ‘I'm thrilled to be joining Cycling UK and leading a brilliant team. We live in an uncertain political and economic climate, but the solutions cycling offers have never been more obvious. My focus will be on changing the conversation around cycling and building a powerful, well-connected movement of supporters. It's an incredibly exciting time for the charity, and by bringing together our dedicated members and local groups, we can drive lasting impact in communities right across the UK.'
