Cycling Ireland has begun its search for a new chief executive to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Matt McKerrow last month. The Australian, and former chief executive of Triathlon Ireland, stood down in December after a controversial period for Cycling Ireland. Over the course of the last year the board was reconstituted and over €700,000 was paid to lawyers and consultants after governance issues.
The national governing body has released a brochure for prospective candidates for the role of chief executive to consider. It says the new chief executive will be a paid a "six-figure basic salary" and will also receive an unspecified "benefits package".
Inviting applications for the job - which must be received by Friday, January 27th - Cycling Ireland said the person who fills the post must have a "track record of exceptional achievement in turning strategies into effective reality to achieve sustainable growth" via "informed decision-making". The successful candidate must also have "excellent commercial acumen" and a "proven ability to lead and grow a high-performing company". They also need "exceptional influencing and negotiation skills" as well as a "strong understanding of, and comfort with, the media".
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"The CEO (chief executive officer) will be responsible for the delivery and implementation of the strategic plan 2020-2024 (and subsequent strategic plans) through clear and decisive leadership and sound business judgement to ensure the overall success, growth and business efficiency of Cycling Ireland," the literature about the job states.
"The work of Cycling Ireland is underpinned by its core values and the CEO will lead by example and ensure that these continue to be embedded across all areas of the organisation," it says, adding the "past twelve months have been a time of unprecedented change for Cycling Ireland".
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In the summer of 2020, an application for sports capital grants was made by Cycling Ireland to the Department of Sport using false quotations. When these documents were spotted, Cycling Ireland was suspended from applying for further grants for a year. However, news of the controversy - which was referred to the Garda by the Department - was never relayed to Cycling Ireland members and was not mentioned at the Cycling Ireland AGM in 2021 or in its annual report.
Details about the controversy only emerged publicly, via the media, in early 2022, by which time the 12-month suspension had been served. By the time the matter became public a second controversy had already erupted. This centred on a plan by Cycling Ireland to fund an academy for young riders within the EvoPro Racing Continental team.
A proposal was drawn up between then Cycling Ireland chief executive and president, McKerrow and Liam Collins respectively, and EvoPro founders and owners, Morgan Fox and PJ Nolan. However, the board of Cycling Ireland complained it had not been kept abreast of the details and a major row ensued within the organisation over how the outline of an agreement was drawn up and what it might cost.
While the proposal was aborted early last year, the fall-out resulted in the board being reconstituted and with the departure of Collins as well McKerrow; the latter only standing down from his role as chief executive last month. His departure came shortly after the 2022 AGM, where his leadership was questioned by several speakers representing different cycling clubs.
Chris Kitchen, the former chief executive of Triathlon Ireland, was installed last month as interim chief executive at Cycling Ireland. He is expected to remain in place until a full-time replacement for McKerrow is found, with the recruitment process to fill that vacancy now open. The document about the chief executive's job, and the skills and background required, can be viewed by following this link.
