Our team

Paul Walsh, originally from Ireland, has lived in Brussels for over 20 years and brings more than 12 years of experience working in Brussels-based associations. He holds a master's degree in Association Management and has worked across a wide range of sectors, including aviation, research and innovation, tourism, and medical devices. With expertise in European advocacy and stakeholder engagement, Paul's cross-sector knowledge and collaborative leadership support the mission of Cycling Industries Europe to advance sustainable mobility and grow the cycling industry across the continent.

Lauha is a policy and advocacy professional with extensive experience in public affairs and strategic communications at both EU and global levels. She has served as Policy Director at Cycling Industries Europe since it was founded in 2019. Lauha leads several expert groups, including bike sharing, leasing and sustainability. She is also a co-founder of the Women in Cycling network, which currently has more than 3,000 members and promotes greater diversity in the cycling industry. Prior to CIE, Lauha helped establish one of the first EU representation offices for Finnish regions in Brussels and worked as an expert at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. She later served as Communications Director at the Global Wind Energy Council, promoting renewable energy worldwide. Lauha has authored several publications on wind energy and renewables. Her leadership in sustainable mobility has been recognised by Zag Daily (Mobility Leader: Women Making Moves) and Cycling Weekly (Agents of Change: The women who are changing the way we all ride). Lauha holds an MSc in Political Science, International Law and Communications. She has two daughters, speaks English, French, Swedish and her native Finnish and lives in Brussels.

Jacques focuses on getting greater support for cycling as a key industry for Europe. He co-runs the expert groups on market intelligence, supply chain and innovation. A career lobbyist with 16 years' experience working in the EU 'Brussels bubble', Jacques has always aspired to work for sectors that make people happier or smarter. Previously, he worked for EU organisations promoting public media and then tourism. He also teaches EU public affairs at Sorbonne University. He would describe himself as a 'European' and his young son could claim 4 nationalities. Jacques was born in London, studied in Toulouse, lives with an Italian partner and calls Brussels 'home'.

After spending 4 years covering Formula 1, Istvan switched from 4 wheels to 2 when he moved to Brussels and started working at ECI's partner organization IMBA Europe. Originally from Hungary, he's been bitten by the cycling bug during his university years before graduating from Corvinus University of Budapest. Now apart from his passion of racing cars he is also preaching about the benefits of cycling and can be regularly found around Forêt de Soignes on his gravel bike.

Hellen loves riding a bike. Cycling has always been part of her everyday life – for getting around, clearing the head, and for exploring new places.

She believes bikes make life better: they bring freedom, joy and a sense of connection to the world around us.

On a bike you feel the elements, you are close to nature and the change of seasons, and you feel better physically. What is there not to love!

Being able to support the cycling industry and invest in safer, cleaner cycling as such, and making it accessible to all, feels like a natural extension of that passion.

Veronica is the Membership and Communications Administrator at European Cycling Industries. Her passion for nature and creativity has guided her career and educational choices, beginning with a technical-scientific background and progressing to involvement in national and European volunteer projects in the environmental and youth work fields. Her interest in sustainable mobility communication has led her to join ECI and the cycling sector.

Henrique’s earliest memory takes place in his childhood home, in Portugal, riding his first bike (orange and without support wheels). Since then, he has been addicted to the thrill of cycling - having competed in the national cycling and triathlon championships.

He brings together: a true passion for all bicycles, and experience in EU Affairs. Henrique never imagined that cycling could be a full-time job (except for those racing professionally). After having worked in Brussels and Luxembourg, he realised that a passion for bicycles, if combined with his legal and policy background, could be leveraged to empower the sport and the industry that supports it.

Some people collect stamps; others collect coins. Henrique collects kilometres and the stories that come with them. If he is not at the office, you can find him on his bike: either around Brussels or on a long-distance cycling trip.

Cycling has been a part of Kalle’s life for as long as he can remember. Getting to school, meeting friends, and going to the big city from a small rural town. All of it is inherently linked with cycling as it is the means of getting where he wants to go. Working at European Cycling Industries provides the perfect opportunity to combine this passion with his background in European affairs therein ensuring as many people as possible get to enjoy the freedom that is cycling.

Cycling is Simon’s greatest passion in life, and he has completed several long-distance bike trips across Europe. In 2024, he cycled from San Francisco to New York, sharing his journey on Instagram and building a large following on social media along the way.

After the trip, Simon returned to his home country of Sweden to complete his studies in Political Science. He is now eager to combine his academic background, social media experience, and passion for cycling to help contribute to more cycling across Europe.