Xavier Brice is set to leave Walk Wheel Cycle Trust this spring after 10 years as CEO of the UK’s leading walking, wheeling and cycling charity.
Xavier Brice.
Xavier joined the charity in 2016 when it was known as Sustrans. Over the past decade, he has led a period of significant change for everyday walking, wheeling and cycling across the UK.
During his time as CEO, the charity delivered more than 500 miles of new and improved routes on the National Cycle Network. It also launched the Walking and Cycling Index and supported almost one billion walking scooting and cycling journeys through the annual Big Walk and Wheel challenge.
In 2025, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust completed an award-winning rebrand and launched a bold new strategy under Xavier’s leadership. This marked the start of an exciting new chapter as the charity approaches its 50th year.
Over the next five years, the strategy will see Walk Wheel Cycle Trust connect more communities link the National Cycle Network with local walking wheeling and cycling routes and build a people-powered movement to help make change happen.
Tribute from the Chair of Trustees
Moray Macdonald, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:
"On behalf of the Trustees, I want to thank Xavier for his leadership over the last decade.
"During his time as CEO, the charity has helped improve lives in communities across the UK by making it easier for more people to walk wheel and cycle.
"Across all four nations, Xavier has helped make investment in walking wheeling and cycling a priority, improving people’s health and wellbeing the places we live in and travel through and our wider environment."
Reflecting on his time leading the charity, Xavier said:
"16-year-old me would be tickled-pink that I got the chance to lead such a wonderful team transforming how people get about, improving their health and wellbeing, and our world.
"After 10 years leading this brilliant charity, and with a strong new brand and strategy for the future in place, now feels the right time to pass the baton on to somebody else.
"I joined as a supporter and leave an even bigger one. I’m proud of the diversity, passion and commitment of our employees, volunteers, supporters and partners and look forward to seeing Walk Wheel Cycle Trust continue to thrive and connect people with the things that matter to them."
Interim leadership and next steps
Harry Hayer, a member of the charity’s Executive team, will step into the role of interim CEO from mid-April. Recruitment for a permanent CEO will begin shortly.
Xavier will move to SLR, a global sustainability consultancy, where he will lead the growth of its sustainable built environment work across Europe the Middle East and Africa.
