Cycling UK has first majority female leadership in 145 years
Cycling UK has appointed two new execs to its senior leadership team – Katie Legg and Sarah McMonagle – which now means Cycling UK has, for the first time in its 145-year history – a predominantly female leadership team, and a workforce that is 58% female.
This news is not insignificant, coming in a year where the Women’s Tour has been forced into a one-year hiatus and amidst a background of a cycling industry grapping with how to recruit more women into the sector. Earlier this year, the Bicycle Association was among those attempting to address the issue with the creation of an independent Diversity Advisory Board. Assuming you work alongside other people and are within the cycling industry, there is a betting certainty that you’ll be surrounded by more men than women.
Legg joins the cycling charity in May from Mental Health UK, where she was director, strategy and partnerships for more than four years to take up the role of commercial director, and will be responsible for the charity’s membership, fundraising and commercial partnerships. McMonagle leaves CPRE, the countryside charity, where she is acting director of campaigns and policy. She will assume a new role at Cycling UK as director of external affairs in June, looking after Cycling UK’s campaigns, public affairs, communications and marketing teams.
Cycling UK said it is committed to being an inclusive organisation, with diversity and inclusion objectives which are applied across all areas of its work. These include establishing a diversity and inclusion staff group to inform and challenge thinking in the organisation; forming an external Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group for active travel organisations including Sustrans, Living Streets, Ramblers and the Canal and River Trust to share best practice, consult and collaborate on any aspect of EDI that is relevant to every organisation; training for all staff; and improvements to recruitment of both staff and trustees to encourage a wider range of applicants to work with us at Cycling UK.
Katie Legg brings a wealth of expertise in sport, physical activity and health having worked with a number of sports organisations to inspire future generations to get out and be more active and some of the biggest brands in the country to raise awareness and improve people’s mental health. A trustee of Fulham Football Club Foundation and Sporting Chance, Katie has also worked at Sport England where she helped national governing bodies grow their membership and modernise.
A regular rider in London, Sarah McMonagle has broad experience of delivering strategic communications for not-for-profit organisations, with a track record of building award-winning teams. At the CPRE she has secured a number of major campaign wins, including on planning, hedgerows and fracking. Her other experience includes director of communications at trade association the Federation of Master Builders. Currently McMonagle is also a board trustee of Wildlife and Countryside Link, the umbrella body for the nature sector.
Katie Legg said: “It’s a really great time for me to be joining Cycling UK. There is such a variety of reasons why people want to go cycling now, including reducing their carbon footprint and saving money. I look forward to growing Cycling UK’s offer to everyone so that whatever reason we cycle, we cycle safe, have fun and make the most of the amazing cycle routes the UK has.”
Sarah McMonagle said: “Cycling UK already provides a strong voice for those who want to drive less and cycle more, and I’m looking forward to joining the charity to help that voice grow even louder. Whether we live in towns, cities or the countryside, encouraging more people to cycle is a no-brainer in a climate and cost of living crisis. And the best thing is, everyone benefits when more people cycle. I can’t wait to join the team and help ensure Cycling UK reaches even more people who don’t currently benefit from time out on a bike.”
Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK chief executive said: “On behalf of the staff and our members, we’re excited to welcome Katie and Sarah to the Cycling UK family. Together they bring a wealth of expertise and experience to our commercial and external affairs teams, which will be invaluable during these trying times we all face. I look forward to working with Katie and Sarah on achieving Cycling UK’s mission to get millions more cycling by 2025.”
