The Cycle to Work Alliance has named Chris Last as its new chair as it celebrates its twenty-fifth year.
Last, who has worked in the employee benefits sector for a number of years, took up the position this month (July).
Announcing the appointment, the Alliance thanked outgoing chair Adrian Warren from Blackhawk Network and welcomed Last, explaining it was “confident that under his leadership, the Alliance will continue to advance its mission and positively impact the lives of employees, businesses and the planet”.
The representative body for the cycle to work scheme explained that Last “firmly believes in the power of sustainable and inclusive employee benefits, with a strong emphasis on promoting a cycle-to-work scheme that provides affordable travel alternatives and encourages a healthier lifestyle”. It added that his views align with its aim to encourage greener and more active workforces while helping organisations introduce sustainable commuting options.
Last, who is commercial and strategy director at Vivup, has worked with the Alliance for 15 months and is a passionate cyclist.
He said: “My objectives in this role are simple. I want every business in the UK to offer a cycle-to-work-scheme, increase participation, and I want to remove the barriers stopping people from cycling to work regularly, which include secure storage in towns and cities and improved infrastructure that enables safer cycling between destinations.”
The Alliance, which is formed of the five largest cycle-to-work scheme providers including Cyclescheme, Cycle Solutions, Evans Cycles, Halfords and Vivup, represents about 80% of the market. It has so far helped more than two million individuals access cycle schemes and plans to widen its reach in the year ahead by forming new partnerships across the sustainable travel industry and positioning cycling as one of the best ways for employees to commute to and from work.
