Cycling Australia has recruited long-time newspaper marketer Ben Godkin to fill its newly created head of marketing and communications role.

Godkin (pictured) joins the organisation after a long stint at News Limited where he was most recently marketing director at HWT, the publisher of the Herald Sun.

Godkin, who is a keen cyclist, said: “As cycling  moves ahead into a new era we’ll be redefining the brand, providing more compelling benefits to our members and establishing a digital strategy that delivers greater commercial value to the organisation.”

Graham Fredericks, chief executive of Cycling Australia, added: “The interest in cycling has never been greater and we must ensure that the mass participation at grass roots level is properly harnessed so that our elite riders can continue to excel on the world stage.”

“Ben’s appointment is an important step to ensure that the cycling brand is developed with a clear strategic direction that enables the delivery of enhanced value to our members and commercial partners.”