Cycling Ireland has appointed a new chief executive, James Quilligan, to take over at the helm of the organisation later this year. He will take on the top post in the national governing body from current interim chief executive Chris Kitchen.
Quilligan, an A3 rider with Greenmount Cycling Academy in Limerick, has worked for over 25 years in the commercial and public sectors and has previous experience working as chief executive officer.
At first glance, the appointment of a road cyclist, particularly a long-standing club member who races, will be welcomed as road cycling - clubs, leisure events and racing - has always been, and remains, by far the biggest part of the sport on the island of Ireland.
Cycling Ireland said Quilligan had a "proven track record of driving strategy development, modernising processes, building high performance teams, and enriching service quality within organisations".
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He was previously chief executive at the Moorehaven Group, which provides new residential housing and intellectual disability support services.
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He was also integrated service regional manager for Rehab Group. In that role he oversaw the implementation of national and regional plans for two integrated services with an annual budget of €15m-€20m and up to 300 staff across the region.
He will take over at Cycling Ireland in mid June and, until then, Kitchen will remain on as interim chief executive, having taken over from Matt McKerrow who departed the organisation last year. Kitchen will now assist Quilligan's transition into the organisation over the next 2½ months.
“It is an honour to be appointed as CEO to lead Cycling Ireland in the next phase of its development," Quilligan said. "I look forward to bringing my professional experience to the organisation, with the aim of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in improving the organisation and to make Cycling Ireland a leading NGB in the years to come and one that all members can be proud of both nationally and internationally.”
Cycling Ireland president, Dr Tom Daly, said he was "delighted to welcome James to Cycling Ireland as our new CEO".
"His extensive experience in organisational management and his understanding of Irish cycling makes him an ideal candidate to lead our organisation forward," Daly said.
"The board, staff and membership groups will look forward to working with James in further developing our organisation and delivering upon our strategic objectives.”
