The first members of British Cycling’s new external Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group have been named today, as the organisation prepares to publish its five-year strategic framework to tackle the diversity and inclusion gap in cycling and ensure that the sport is truly reflective of Britain’s communities.

Bringing together 14 experts from a variety of industries and backgrounds, the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group will be responsible for tracking the organisation’s progress against the long-term Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Framework, and will provide advice to the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors and British Cycling staff.

Working alongside these experts, a newly-established internal working group comprising a cross-section of the British Cycling workforce has been tasked with shaping and embedding the strategic framework across their respective teams.

With the external and internal groups now confirmed, British Cycling will publish its long-term framework in the coming weeks.

British Cycling Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group:

Julie Watts:

Co-Chair, British Cycling Board member and Senior Clinical Manager.

Aneela McKenna:

Co-Chair, and Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager at the Scottish Parliament, Mòr Diversity Consultancy Services and Partner of Go-Where Scotland MTB.

Nazaket Ali:

An Advanced Practitioner working for Bradford Youth Service

Deena Blacking:

Founder of drivetrain.cc, a coaching and consulting business.

Robbie De Santos:

Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns at Stonewall.

Andy Edwards:

Commercial music executive. Author of the Diversity in Cycling report.

Sarah Galligan:

A communications and social values professional, volunteer Ride Leader and Tour de Manc diversity lead.

Lloyd Grose:

Business consultant and British Cycling coach, who rides with Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club and previously with the Black Cyclists’ Network.

Mark Hardie:

CEO of Access Sport and ex-human rights lawyer, with experience of working to achieve equality, diversity and inclusion in cycling.

Aneel Javed:

Founder of Onside Sports Consultancy.

Louise Johnson:

Experienced HR Director whose work at Sky helped place the broadcaster into the top position in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers.

Rosie Ranganathan:

Independent Executive Coach and HR Consultant.

Hamid Vaghefian:

Head of Community Engagement for London Marathon Events.

Philippa York:

Former professional rider and campaigner for trans inclusion, who announced her own transition in 2017.

You can read the full bios here.

Aneela McKenna, British Cycling Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group Co-Chair:

“I am delighted to be joining this advisory group at an exciting time when we have a real opportunity to embed change into the work of British Cycling, and to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in cycling where everyone can feel they belong.

“This group demonstrates that high-level commitment from British Cycling to develop a strong framework that will set the strategy for the future and put diversity at the heart of everything it does.

“We know that there will be challenges ahead, but I look forward to working with an exceptional group – between us there is a diverse range of skills and broad representation of people with lived experiences who will each have a positive influence on this vital work. British Cycling has made some great progress so far and I personally look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience to help us lead by example and create a vision that will inspire and empowers others to do the same.”

Rod Findlay, British Cycling Business Services Director:

“We were absolutely thrilled with the calibre – and huge number – of applicants who came forward to join our new Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, which exemplifies the cycling community’s determination to close the diversity gap and ensure that everybody feels welcome, valued and supported in our sport.

“This is a long-term mission which requires a real organisational and culture change, and covers all levels of the sport, including our membership, programmes, volunteer workforce, staff and decision-making governance structures, and we are committed to providing updates on our progress over the months and years ahead.”