British Cycling has announced that its chief executive Jon Dutton is set to leave the governing body in July to join the British Olympic Association (BOA) as its new CEO.
Dutton’s departure in the summer means he will have spent just over three years leading British Cycling, a period of turbulence and transition for the governing body which saw its membership plummet by over 20,000.
The former director of readiness for the 2014 Tour de France’s Grand Départ was appointed to the role in April 2023, following the sudden resignation of former CEO Brian Facer, whose spell in charge was dogged by controversies, particularly surrounding British Cycling’s transgender participation policy and its sponsorship deal with oil giant Shell.
In the wake of these controversies, Dutton’s tenure has overseen a sharp drop in membership numbers for the governing body, which fell from 137,968 in March 2023, the month before his appointment, to 117,475 in March 2025.
Nevertheless, in December, British Cycling reported a 1.6 per cent increase in membership income over the previous year, while revenue from sponsorship and rights fees increased by £2.8m.
That same month, the governing body announced that it is hiring consultants to secure new “strategic investment partners” as part of a business shake-up that will see its commercial interests and events portfolio transferred into a new company, British Cycling Ventures, which now organises the men’s and women’s Tours of Britain.
Dutton’s time as CEO also saw the creation of the British Cycling Foundation, the governing body’s new charitable wing, as well as an elite road racing taskforce, chaired by triple Olympic champion Ed Clancy and tasked with revitalising the nation’s flagging domestic scene.
And in March 2025, British Cycling launched a new four-year plan, described as the governing body’s “most ambitious strategy to date”, which aims to reinforce Britain’s position as a “world-leading cycling nation” and deliver an “unprecedented contribution to society, health, and the economy”.
The governing body said the plan will support and grow the sport by making cycling more diverse and inclusive, to lead on the world stage by “winning well”, and to use cycling as a catalyst for positive social change and tackle inequalities.
Dutton’s successor, meanwhile, will have next year’s historic double Tour de France Grands Départs on the agenda, as cycling’s biggest race – in both its men’s and women’s iterations – returns to the UK for the first time in 13 years.
“It has been a tremendous honour to lead British Cycling through such an important and ambitious period of change,” Dutton said in a statement on Monday.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together – strengthening our organisation, delivering meaningful impact in communities, and laying foundations that will support the sport for many years to come.
“I am sincerely grateful to the outstanding colleagues across British Cycling for their daily inspiration, and particularly to Chair Frank Slevin for his leadership and support. The decision to move on was made with careful consideration, but the opportunity to lead Team GB presents an exciting new challenge.”
“During his tenure at British Cycling, Jon has delivered a significant programme of change, including the publication of our bold new strategy in 2024, securing a new lead commercial partner in Lloyds and continuing our programme of modernisation,” BC chair Frank Slevin added.
“The organisation is now better equipped to serve its members, support elite performance, and grow participation at every level across the country than at any point in recent memory.
“The implementation of our social impact programme, designed to help tackle inequalities and ensure cycling improves lives in communities across Britain will form a core part of Jon’s legacy.
“The Board’s confidence in his leadership has also allowed British Cycling to bring both the Men’s and Women’s Lloyds Tours of Britain back in house and played a fundamental role in securing the UK as host of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femme Grand Departs in 2027.
“We wish him every success as he takes on the CEO role at The BOA and look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.”
Dutton has enjoyed a wide-ranging career over more than three decades in the sports industry, including the role of director of readiness for the Tour’s visit to Yorkshire in 2014, in addition to being a board member of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland.
He also has experience working for major organisations including the PGA European Tour and UEFA, and was Director of Projects and People for the Rugby Football League, before being appointed as the CEO of England’s turn hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.
British Cycling says the process to appoint Dutton’s successor will “begin shortly”.
