British Cycling and UKEL from SPV to deliver Grand Départ 2027

A new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been set up to oversee delivery of the Grand Départ 2027 and to manage public funding on behalf of DCMS, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and UK Sport.

Formed as a joint venture between British Cycling and UKEL, the SPV will ensure the smooth delivery of this landmark event. UKEL, a newly created events company, was established to safeguard the UK’s ability to host world-class sporting competitions and to ensure their long-term success.

As a not-for-profit organisation, UKEL has been designed to support National Governing Bodies in bidding for and staging major events, to retain leading expertise within the industry, and to provide core services across the UK’s event-hosting sector. Its flexible and agile model will help the UK respond to the evolving demands of the international sports market. Grand Départ GB 2027 will be the first event delivered under this framework.

Chris Brindley will serve as Acting Chair of the Grand Départ GB 2027 Board. The former Chair of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and current Chair of the Northern Ireland Football League will be joined by Paul Williamson, Michelle Dite, Tove Okunniwa and Frank Slevin, bringing together a wealth of experience from both inside and outside sport.

Meanwhile, the Board of UKEL will be chaired by Alys Carlton, Chair of the Football Association of Wales and a former corporate lawyer with 20 years’ experience. She will be joined by Chris Brindley and Steve Elworthy, Chief Executive of Surrey County Cricket Club and former CEO of the 2017 and 2019 Cricket World Cups. Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport, will also join the board as an observer.

“Today marks the start of a new era for event delivery in the UK with the launch of UKEL Ltd,” said Brindley. “This company will be pivotal in enabling major sporting events to be staged here in the years ahead and, importantly, in ensuring those events deliver lasting positive impact for communities across the UK.”