Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has today announced that Xavier Brice will become its new Chief Executive in June 2016.

Xavier has a wealth of experience in public transport, working for the past ten years in a number of roles for Transport for London. This most recently involves leading the “Fit for the Future Stations” programme, the biggest change to London Underground for a generation.

He also designed a new cycling strategy for London, which led to the introduction of the Cycle Superhighways and Cycle Hire Scheme.

Xavier is passionately committed to sustainable transport. A lifelong cyclist and public-transport aficionado, he is a long-term Sustrans supporter with a garage full of bikes of various shapes and sizes.

Bill Stow, Chair of Trustees at Sustrans, said: “I'm really excited by this appointment. Xavier will bring both highly relevant experience and a range of skills to the CEO role. I'm looking forward to working with him as Sustrans moves into a new era.”

Xavier, said: "I’ve been enthusiastic about the benefits of cycling for a long time, both professionally and in my home life – where I’m introducing my young daughters to the joys of getting around by bike. As a long-term supporter of Sustrans I’m looking forward to leading the organisation and making walking and cycling a more attractive and practical option for communities across the UK.”

Xavier will replace Sustrans’ current Chief Executive Malcolm Shepherd, who has been in his current role since 2008. Shepherd will leave the charity at the end of March, with current Operations Director, Andy Wistow, acting as interim CEO until Xavier joins Sustrans in June.