Slevin takes up the role after the departure of Jonathan Browning on December 1, after he announced he would stand down as chairman and withdraw his candidacy for the independent role having deemed a "new leader" was required.

The independent chairman post was created following changes agreed by British Cycling's National Council at their Extraordinary General Meeting last year, to ensure compliance with the code of sports governance.

Slevin is currently the executive chair of House of Fraser, a major British department store group.

He said that he was looking forward to supporting British Cycling's chief executive Julie Harrington to help ensure the organisation becomes a "world-class" governing body.

"It is a great privilege to have been chosen to support the leadership team in British Cycling as we look to a new era for the sport and for every cyclist in the country," said Slevin.

"I bring a long-held passion for cycling, combined with a career that has been committed to helping organisations maintain high performance and manage change, whilst upholding the best standards of governance.

"I believe British Cycling is at a crossroads in terms of the standards of governance now expected, and in particular the way elite athletes are supported.

"At the same time, I want British Cycling to work with everyone across the sector, as we look to live up to our ambition to be a world-class governing body and a leading cycling nation.

"I have met with our chief executive, Julie Harrington, and I'm looking forward to working with her.

"One of my key priorities will be to give Julie the support she needs as she implements her plans to take British Cycling forward.

"I'm also very excited about our partnership with HSBC UK, who share our ambitions for the potential of cycling in this country from the playground to the podium."

British Cycling state that he boasts exceptional and wide-ranging experience including retail, financial services and regulatory oversight, which they believe will be a benefit for the organisation.

"We are thrilled to be able to confirm the recruitment of Frank - his background and the insight and experience he will bring from beyond the world of sport will be an enormous asset as British Cycling looks to a future where our country can truly count itself as a great cycling nation," said Harrington.

Slevin takes up the post at British Cycling following a difficult 2017 for the organisation.

Last year, British Cycling was at the centre of a UK Sport investigation into their practices.

Browning, who took up the post of chair last January, claimed the organisation has been stabilised under his leadership when he announced his departure in November.

He had admitted in March that British Cycling had "failed" athletes on its world-class performance programme after allegations of sexism and bullying within the organisation led to an independent review.

The UK Sport review was launched after complaints of sexism were made by Jess Varnish last year relating to comments allegedly made by former technical director Shane Sutton.

The review concluded in June that some athletes had complained of a "lack of encouragement or support", while staff members referred to a "culture of fear in the organisation".

He also highlighted the arrival of new medical services staff and structures, while new grievance, whistleblowing and athlete representation processes have been implemented.

The appointment of Harrington as British Cycling chief executive and Stephen Park as performance director were hailed by Browning, as he stated they were "strong new leaders" for the organisation.