Xavier Brice, CEO of the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, has announced that he will step down this spring after serving in the role for 10 years.

After joining the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) in 2016, Mr Brice spent his decade-long tenure leading the charity as it worked on transforming everyday walking, wheeling and cycling for people across the UK.

As part of this, the organisation delivered over 500 miles of new and improved routes on the National Cycle Network, launched the Walking and Cycling Index and saw nearly one billion walking, scooting, and cycling school journeys logged during its annual Big Walk and Wheel challenge.

Last year, the charity completed an ‘award-winning' rebrand under Mr Brice's leadership and also launched a new strategy that will see the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust work on connecting the National Cycle Network with local active travel networks in the UK over the next five years.

Whilst recruitment for a new permanent CEO is expected to start shortly, the charity has named Harry Hayer, a member of the charity's Executive team, as interim-CEO from mid-April when Mr Brice plans to depart.

Moray Macdonald, chair of the Board of Trustees at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: ‘On behalf of the Trustees I want to thank Xavier for his leadership over the last decade.

‘During his tenure, the charity has improved lives in communities across the UK by making it possible for more people to walk, wheel and cycle.

‘Across all four nations Xavier has helped make investment in walking, wheeling and cycling a priority - improving people's health and wellbeing, the places we live in and travel through, and our wider environment.'

Mr Brice added: ‘16-year-old me would be tickled pink that I got the chance to lead such a wonderful team transforming how people get about, improving their health and wellbeing, and our world.

‘After 10 years leading this brilliant charity, and with a strong new brand and strategy for the future in place, now feels the right time to pass the baton on to somebody else.

‘I joined as a supporter and leave an even bigger one. I'm proud of the diversity, passion and commitment of our employees, volunteers, supporters and partners and look forward to seeing Walk Wheel Cycle Trust continue to thrive and connect people with the things that matter to them.'