British Cycling to replace board of directors

British Cycling has scheduled an extraordinary general meeting after which its members will vote on reforms that would see the organisation’s board of directors replaced. It is currently unclear whether Jonathan Browning will choose to re-apply to continue as chairman.

The reforms have been deemed necessary if British Cycling is to continue receiving public funding with the government having brought in a new governance code for sporting bodies.

Changes to be voted on include limiting directors to three three-year terms and the BBC reports that on this basis, six of the eight elected members on the current board would have to stand down.

In March, UK Sport’s chief executive, Liz Nicholl accused the British Cycling board of covering up the most damaging findings of a report commissioned after the London 2012 Olympic Games and she subsequently demanded an explanation as to how it had come to clear Shane Sutton on eight of nine charges of misconduct stemming from the allegations made by Jess Varnish last year. Many would therefore perceive major changes as welcome, if not overdue.

The reforms would see the number of elected regional directors reduced from six to four, including permanent seats for elected representatives from Scotland and Wales. There would also be an increase in the number of openly recruited independents from three to four and the appointment of an independent chair.

Current chairman, Browning – who only took on the role in February – is understood to be considering his options.