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HSBC UK will take the place of Sky as the lead sponsor of British Cycling in 2017. The eight-year deal was formally announced today. The partnership will start from January 1st.
“This is a huge moment for cycling in Great Britain,” said Ian Drake, CEO of British Cycling. “Working together with HSBC UK, we will provide the encouragement and opportunities to make cycling the most popular activity and sport of choice in Great Britain. We want to help transform an increasingly inactive and unhealthy nation through cycling.”
A statement said British Cycling and HSBC UK will deliver events and programmes across local communities, towns and free to enter mass participation events to get millions of people on their bikes.
António Simões, Chief Executive of HSBC Bank plc said: “We are extremely proud to be working in partnership with British Cycling. Successes at the Olympics and Paralympics in both London and Rio have put cycling well and truly on the map and we are looking to help build on that legacy to make a real difference from grass roots cycling all the way up to those representing Great Britain at the very highest level. Our ambition is for this to become a true partnership that benefits every family across Great Britain.”
The partnership will be closely aligned to the Government’s new Sporting Future Strategy which sets out physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, individual development, social and community development and economic development as measures by which sporting success will be defined by in the future.
Sir Chris Hoy, Britain’s joint most successful Olympic athlete of all time, said: “We’ve had a great eight years with Sky, and now with HSBC UK making a long term commitment to British Cycling, it’s going to help anyone who wants to get on a bike to have fun, get fit, go to work or school, or compete right up to the very highest levels of international sport.”
Liz Nicholl CBE, CEO of UK Sport said: " Partnerships are critical to the success of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and to inspiring and engaging future generations to get active and enjoy sport. We welcome today’s announcement with HSBC UK joining our sector as a partner to British Cycling supporting them to encourage even more people to embrace the sport of cycling."
