The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) announced today that Jill Warren, its CEO since early 2020, has decided to step down from her role at the end of July 2025. A selection process to appoint her successor will start immediately.
Under Jill’s leadership, ECF has successfully influenced a range of groundbreaking policy initiatives, frameworks and measures in favour of more and better cycling at the EU, wider Europe and global levels. This includes ECF’s role in shaping the E
uropean Declaration on Cycling adopted by the EU in 2024 and co-founding the
Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) coalition which is guiding and catalysing effective cycling policy interventions around the world. In 2023 Jill was recognised with the Leadership in Cycling Promotion Award by the Cycling Embassy of Denmark.
Commenting on her decision, Jill said:
“
I am very fortunate to work with such a passionate and highly competent team and I am proud of all the progress we have achieved together. Although we still have many exciting projects and initiatives to work on that deliver on our mission of more and better cycling for all, after five intense years in the CEO role I have decided the time is right for me to step down and make room for other plans and interests. ECF is in a very good place now, and my priority over the next months is to help ensure a smooth transition while our Board recruits a successor.
Huge thanks go to the ECF team and Board for their support and excellent cooperation during my time here. I look forward to occasions over the next few months such as Velo-city to also say thank you to our members, partners and other stakeholders I have worked closely with.”
Henk Swarttouw, ECF President, said:
“
My colleagues on the ECF Board and I have much appreciated the privilege of working with Jill since she joined ECF. Jill deserves full credit and admiration for building ECF into the strong, respected and resilient organisation that it is today. Jill has been an inspiring leader of our team in Brussels, overseeing ECF’s unprecedented advocacy successes in Europe and beyond.
Over the years, Jill has become recognised as one of the most prominent figures in European and global cycling advocacy, speaking on stages from Velo-city to the COP climate conferences. We will all be very sad to see her go and we wish her the best of luck in her coming endeavours.”
ECF’s mission remains as relevant and important as ever, with cycling having a critical role to play in addressing climate change, improving public health and making our cities and towns more liveable, equitable and resilient.
As ECF looks ahead to the next chapter, the Board has initiated the search for a new CEO. The successful candidate will lead the team, drive the implementation of ECF’s ambitious strategy, and build on the organisation's strong foundation to expand its impact further. Interested candidates can access the application pack
here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Lissoni, Communications and Media Manager (
[email protected])
About ECF:
ECF is the single European umbrella federation of member-based civil society organisations advocating and working for more and better cycling. With around 70 members from over 40 countries, we harness the power of the cycling movements in Europe and - increasingly – globally.
