Dame Janet Trotter
Janet Trotter was born in Kent where she was educated and, after training, taught for eight years. She then worked in a range of Colleges of Higher Education and lectured in theology and education, becoming Head of Professional Studies. In 1986 she came to Cheltenham to lead the College of St Paul and St Mary which, after merger, became the University of Gloucestershre in 2001.
She has served on the Higher Education Funding Council for England and on the Teacher Training Agency and was a Senior Inspector of Theological Colleges and Courses. Janet was also involved in the NHS in various non-executive capacities and was Chair of the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 2002 until 2010. She is Patron/President of Carers Gloucestershire, AgeUKGloucestershire and is a member of the Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral. She was awarded an OBE in 1991 and a DBE in 2001and has been Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire since 2010.
With regard to cycling Janet had her first bicycle (reconditioned) when she was 6 years old and became a lover of the freedom that it gave her to explore the countryside. She was a regular cycler between campuses when she came to Cheltenham but has not cycled since 2012 when she suffered from a broken ankle. She still hopes that this is not the end of the road for her cycling career!!
Matt Stephens
Matt won the Junior Tour of Wales twice before representing Britain in the Barcelona Olympics. After becoming National Road Race Champion in 1998 he turned pro for Harrods and then the Linda McCartney teams. He was rider and then rider/manager for Sigma Sport before retiring in 2011 after injury. Since his re-tirement from racing, he has written for various websites as well as being the ‘specialist’ on ITV4’s Halfords Tour Se-ries and Tour of Britain coverage, and commentating on live races for British Cycling’s Premier Calendar and Eurosport. He also works as a presenter for Global Cycling Network.