ACU Board of Directors elects new Chairman: Mr Tim Lightfoot

The Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Mr Tim Lightfoot has been elected to the position as Chairman of ACU Limited with effect from Wednesday 18th October 2023.

Words: Auto Cycle Union Ltd, Featured Image: Harry Lawlor Photography

Mr Lightfoot has a long association with the ACU where from the age of fourteen, he has been a regular competitor in Trials, Enduro and Motocross competition. He was previously involved in the organisation of national Grass Track events with the North Berks Club, for which he was Clerk of the Course. More recently Mr Lightfoot has been involved in ACU Motocross, as a member of the National Motocross Sporting Committee and ACU Motocross Business Manager, where he led on developing a new risk assessment process for motocross organisers and the MXGB rebranding of the British Motocross Championship.

For the past three years Mr Lightfoot has been a Director of ACU Limited and member of the Sustainability Panel where he has made a significant contribution to the business. Professionally, Mr Lightfoot holds an Honours Degree from Brunel University and has worked as a senior engineering manager in both the automotive industry and Formula 1, he is currently working for Merton College in the University of Oxford as Head of Operations, where he is also a Fellow and Director.

Upon being elected to the position of ACU Chairman, Mr Lightfoot said: “in its 120th year, it is a great honour to become the 17th Chairman of the ACU and in doing so represent the future interests of our many organisers and members across the country. As the National Governing Body for motorcycle sport in the UK and a founding member of the FIM, the ACU has a truly rich heritage of producing world championship winning competitors and organising motorcycle sport at all levels, through which we have shaped the sport both at home and internationally.

For over a century, the ACU has been unique in representing the interests of its members, going forward we will continue to do so by working closely with our organisers, licence holders, the motorcycle industry and of course the FIM. It is also true that in our 120 year history the world around us has changed greatly and as with any long established organisation, one of our main priorities will be to ensure the ACU evolves in its effort to facilitate motorcycle sport in the most accommodating, deregulated and user led manner possible”.

In confirming the appointment, interim Chairman, Mr Tony Steele remarked, it is pleasing that it has been possible to identify such a suitable candidate to bring stability in leadership for the foreseeable future, necessary to steer the company through the challenges faced in the current competitive and financially difficult times.

The Board would like to extend their best wishes to Mr Lightfoot and thank Mr Tony Steele (Vice Chairman) for his work as interim Chairman, which has included overseeing this appointment. The Board are also pleased to confirm that Mr Steele will continue in his role of Vice-Chairman and duties in respect of other aspects of the ACU companies.