King aiming to return to BC

Former British Cycling chief executive Peter King has put himself forward for election to the organisation’s board this year in response to 18 months of controversy at BC.

Last week, the South East regional board of British Cycling decided to nominate him as a candidate for the English representative on the board.

Under new rules, the regions of England, Scotland and Wales all get to nominate a member to the board.

King is hoping to become the English regions’ nomination when the regional councils all meet next month.

Speaking to Cycling Weekly, King said: “If I don’t get selected then I will enter the ballot for one of the other four independent director posts.” The independent directors will be appointed by British Cycling.

There has been scepticism among some of the BC members about the changes to the board that were voted through in July, principally the move to make the board, rather than the national council, the supreme body for BC. However, despite the threat of opposition, the changes — which were required by UK Sport’s new governance code — were passed following a lastminute amendment.

King added: “It seems to me we are allowing the disconnect between the membership and the board to increase and we need to reverse that.”

King was one of the architects of BC’S success. He took up the post of chief executive in 1997, as the board saved the organisation from near bankruptcy. He stayed in the role until 2008.