Our wonderful chair David Janner-Klausner is stepping down from his position. So much of his work over the past 5 years has been behind the scenes, leaving too much of the glory to show offs like me. Now it’s his turn to take the limelight.

David has been an absolute rock since the very beginning of The Bike Project. Since before the beginning in fact – he essentially co-founded The Bike Project with me back in 2013. Without his steady guidance in those early days, I’m sure it would not have become the success it is today.

David has given me an unbelievable amount of his time, answering emails and phone calls at all times of day and night. He’s given up whole weekends to discussions over operational systems management – and there can be no higher testimony to the man’s integrity than that.

His understanding of how organisations grow and develop is second to none. David has taught me more than I ever thought I’d want to know about how to build operational systems, how to manage staff, and how to build organisational resilience.

Under David’s chairmanship, The Bike Project has grown from the merest kernel of an idea into an organisation that employs dozens of people, has built a refugee cycling support network across the capital, and – most importantly – put bikes into the hands of nearly 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

It would be no exaggeration, therefore, to say that David’s work has changed the lives of thousands of people for the better.

When I attended David’s farewell do at his last job, I remember his old boss saying that it was rare to find someone who could play at the highest level and still have immaculate values. That is more true of David than anyone I have worked with.

For that, David, and from everyone who has ever crossed the threshold of The Bike Project, we say a sincere thank you. Take a bow.