2024 AGM - Candidates for the Board


The 2024 Cycling Ireland AGM takes place on May 18th at 14:00. 


There are two positions on the Board to be filled and four candidates have put their names forward for election.


Please see details, provided by each of the candidates, below to help inform you make your decision. 



Jonny Beers 

Ulster 


As a passionate advocate for sports and community engagement, I am thrilled to offer my candidacy for the position of board member within Cycling Ireland. With experience of leadership, strategic thinking, and dedication to fostering inclusivity, I would welcome the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Cycling Ireland’s mission and vision.


I have been a member of Cycling Ireland for the last 23 years and have raced, volunteered & become a commissaire within that time. As a youth & junior rider, I represented Cycling Ireland in both Road & Track disciplines at international level events and won several national titles in Track & Mountain Bike disciplines. In 2017, after some years away from racing, I became a Commissaire and have just completed my Grade A upgrade course in January 2024.


Professionally, I have 10 years of experience in global professional services practices, having trained as Tax Adviser in PwC and currently working with EY. I have honed a diverse skill set that aligns with the competencies a board member should display, as set out by Cycling Ireland. My background in professional services has equipped me with the ability to analyse complex issues, develop innovative solutions, and drive sustainable growth. As a Tax Adviser, as well as being quite finance & accounting focused, I constantly work with changing governance & risk management policies which are areas that are critical to effective Company management at a Board level.


Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to the community through various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects including sports orientated projects. Whether as an organiser, mentor, or volunteer, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of sport in the lives of individuals and communities.


In addition to my professional experience, I believe I can bring a collaborative and inclusive leadership style to the table. I am an advocate for an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone has a voice.


Furthermore, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. I understand the importance of continuing to build upon the hard work, by assisting the current board’s investment in rebuilding Cycling Ireland’s image, working towards regaining the trust of its members, and ensuring the growth of Cycling Ireland.




Conor Campbell

Leinster


I have been a member of Cycling Ireland and Drogheda Wheelers Cycling Club for 25 years and come from a family steeped in Irish cycling. I raced at every level from under 12 to senior and represented Leinster and Ireland many times. I am a solicitor in my day job. I have been on the board of Cycling Ireland since November 2021 at a time when major governance issues were coming to light. Shortly after I was elected, the board and organisation underwent an existential overhaul and re-organisation.


As Vice-President (and in the absence of a President) I played a central role in steering the organisation through this very complicated period and ensuring we came out of it positively. My roles since then have included Vice-President, board representative to the High Performance Management Group and a member of the People and Culture sub-committee. More generally, throughout this time, I have been engaged in constant communication with all key stakeholders – provinces, commissions, Sport Ireland, race organisers etc. about what is needed and expected from our organisation to take us to the next level of professionalism and quality. 


While we have got a lot done in the last three years, we have a lot more to do and I very firmly believe that my experience on the board to date and the relationships I have fostered with these key stakeholders makes me best positioned to achieve the best result for Cycling Ireland members going forward.


One of the key things that makes me suitable for the role of director is that I understand what the role entails and what a director is responsible for and more importantly, what they are not responsible for. This is vital in ensuring the organisation does not find itself with governance issues in the future.


I remain extremely passionate about the sport of cycling and about this organisation. My sole commitment is that I will continue to work as hard as I can for the betterment of Cycling Ireland and in ensuring the continuance of governance and organisational improvements.




Carl Fullerton

Ulster 


I was born in Donegal in 1950. I am married to Eileen and we have four grown up children. I was educated at St.Eunan’s College, Letterkenny and Carndonagh College. I received a B.Comm Degree from UCD in 1971.


I began my working career in the family firm of wholesale fruit merchants in 1971 and continued there until 1985. From 1985 until 1994 I was General Manager of Inishowen Cooperative.

From 1994 until 2002, I was Finance Director of Donegal Fruit Co Ltd. In 2002 I helped establish Donegal Harvest Potato Processors and have worked as CEO there since then.


In 2003 I started a Masters part-time course and graduated in 2005 with MSc. International Business. Across all my working career I have been hands on and undertook any task required of me.


I have been involved in the sport of cycling for the past twenty years and have held either a limited competition or a full open licence for all that time. Currently I hold an A4 licence and compete in the M60 category in Road and TT. 


My early involvement in the sport focussed on establishing and running a cycling club in an area where there was no history of cycling. That club grew to 130 members and within three years was the largest club in Ulster. I ran many club events during those years and have the greatest respect for volunteers who do so. I organised the National Hill Climb in 2008 and 2009, National A3 Road Race Championships in 2009, Ulster Road Race Championships in 2014,2017 and 2018. I gained a lot of experience in hosting these events, but I also learned how important it is to have a cohort of volunteers which will sustain the sport on this island.


I have served as secretary of Cycling Ulster for one term and as director of Cycling Ireland for three terms. If I am elected on this occasion I will enjoy the challenge. I have no doubt that I am suitably qualified for the position. 


I regard myself as a people person and enjoy networking. The values I would like any organisation to espouse are Inclusivity, Fairness and Transparency. I also believe that all boards must allow a culture of challenge if they are to flourish.




Michael Haynes: 

Leinster 


Having retired as CEO of an Approved Housing Body, and from a career spanning 30+ years in the Social Charitable Housing Sector, I bring with me considerable experience as an Executive and Non-Executive Board member. I have participated in Board and Committee meetings at the highest level, and have represented my employers on numerous occasions on the Boards/Committees of sector organisations.  I am very experienced in the needs and requirements of a Board and its members, with my skills covering all aspects of Board and Committee work, and especially the 3 pillars of Good Governance; Transparency, Accountability, Fairness/Equality, and Responsibility.  

I have both knowledge and experience of the main requisites of a successful Board, these being to establishing the vision, mission and values, work with the Executive Team in setting strategy and structure, ensuring a clear space between operational and strategic duties, and ensuring tasks are delegated to management. I am also fully aware of the need to exercise accountability, and being responsible to all stakeholders.

Were I to be successfully nominated, I would bring to the Board of CI considerable knowledge and experience of working with State Bodies and Departments, and of the requirements placed upon organisations who are the recipients of State funding. 

Prior to my career in the Housing Sector, I worked in finance and accountancy, and bring with me an extensive knowledge of finance and of the requirements of a Board to oversee and have full knowledge of financial matters at a strategic level. I am well versed with reading and understanding company accounts and balance sheets, and would not shy away from asking relevant and important questions.

In addition to the above, and of great importance to the role, I am a cyclist. My love of the sport started when I was 12 years old, and has seen me take part in social and competitive events as a rider, organiser, and support crew. I am a member of Lucan Cycling Road Club and of the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association. I have acted for both in numerous capacities, including organising and running races, coaching and supporting young riders, coaching my fellow club members, organising and acting as support crew for charity cycles and sportive, and as a Committee and Board member.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to work with the Board of CI in developing and growing the organisation and the sport of cycling.