Letter from the Chair of Trustees

Do you share our passion to make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle? Could you lead the next part of our journey?

We are stepping confidently into the future as Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, building on nearly 50 years of impact as Sustrans, the charity that helped to pioneer the UK’s sustainable travel movement. From the creation of the Bristol to Bath path to the National Cycle Network, School Streets and beyond, our legacy is one of bold ideas, practical delivery, and lasting change.

Our purpose is beautifully simple: To make it possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle, because it changes everything. Our health. Our wellbeing. Our world.

And we are more ambitious than ever.

We are now seeking a new CEO to help us shape and deliver the future of movement in the UK. You’ll be part of a dynamic, committed team of 500 staff and 2,000 volunteers across the UK’s four nations.

The successful candidate will have substantial leadership experience as a CEO (or aspiring CEO) and will bring values-driven leadership, energy and drive. You will be comfortable building high-trust relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in active travel, including government ministers, senior civil servants, policy makers and strategic partners. You will be able to inspire and lead our brilliant management team and colleagues. You will have a proven track record of leading change in a complex, purpose-driven, multi-stakeholder organisation. You will have had success growing income through fundraising, grant funding, commercial activity and strategic partnerships.

I hope that the information contained in this pack encourages you to apply. If ensuring that walking, wheeling and cycling are safe, accessible and joyful for everyone, everywhere excites you, and you have the qualities needed to lead and inspire people-powered movement, we look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Moray Macdonald
Chair of Trustees
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust

About the role

If you would like to know more about the role or selection process, please contact Smita Rai from our Executive Search partners, Green Park by emailing smita.rai@green-park.co.uk.

Please submit your application by 11:59pm on Sunday 15th March 2026.

View the full role description and submit your application here.

Job purpose

Work with the Board to set the charity’s strategic direction, build the conditions for long-term success, and ensure that purpose, performance and culture are consistently aligned to ensure operational and impactful delivery of the strategy.

Place in organisation structure

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Accountable to: Board of Trustees

Direct reports:

Executive Director, Delivery
Executive Director, Strategy & Engagement
Executive Director, Resources

Key relationships

Internal

Executive Team
Senior Leadership Team
All colleagues and volunteers

External

Leaders and influencers in transport, environment, health and the third sector
Major donors and CEOs of trusts and foundations
Peer CEOs
Government ministers, MPs and other political leaders in the UK government and devolved nations
Senior civil servants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including those in the Department of Transport, Transport Scotland and Active Travel England
Mayors and senior leaders across mayoral strategic authorities and local authorities

Key responsibilities

Provide visible, values-driven leadership to leaders and colleagues across the organisation, ensuring strong delivery, collaboration, and accountability across walking, wheeling, and cycling programmes.
Lead the development and execution of the Trust’s long-term strategy to grow active travel, improve public health, and reduce carbon emissions.
Work in close partnership with the Board of Trustees to ensure high standards of governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight.
Oversee robust performance management, impact evaluation, and evidence-based learning to strengthen credibility and influence.
Lead organisational development, workforce planning, and change management to support long-term organisational health and resilience.

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