Chris needs very little introduction; synonymous with cycling at all levels, Chris has gone from gold medal winning rider to world renowned sports administrator and television pundit.
The Boardman name first broke onto the scene at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, the carpenter from The Wirral winning Team GB’s opening gold of the Games onboard the now infamous Lotus bike. His professional cycling career would begin in earnest the following year, and he would go on to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France on three separate occasions, win three World titles and break several world records.
Whilst a professional athlete, Chris also served as a Board Member of the then UK Sports Council and was part of the launch of Lottery Funding for Sport; a moment that changed the nation’s sporting success forever.
Since hanging up his racing wheels, Chris has worn many different hats, all for the betterment of cycling. Initially involved in R&D to help British riders emulate his success, he would then go on to be a Policy Advisor for British Cycling for over a decade, a role that led to him becoming Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester. During his four years in post, Chris helped the Regions Leaders create a 1,800 mile cycling and walking network plan, a £1.5 billion project that will take ten-years to deliver. The methods and guidance they created have since been mirrored nationally.
Boardman is also the Chairperson of Sport England, having been reappointed for a second term in July this year; the organisation administers approximately £200 million of funding to enable everyone in England to access sport and be physically active.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Chris has ever faced though, is to lead a whole new organisation, Active Travel England. As Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris is charged with setting up this organisation and overseeing the administration of a £2 billion budget. The organisation aims to raise the standards of active travel infrastructure and ensure that every large development in the country enables people to live without cars if they choose to.
We can’t wait to hear from Chris, as he rounds out our conference by speaking about the growth of the sport, which is our 2025 theme. Chris will also be attending the Scottish Cycling Awards later in the day and will help us celebrate the great and good of our sport.
Tickets for the 2025 Scottish Cycling Conference are now on sale via the link below, with the full programme being unveiled next week.