A vote took place yesterday after Howden announced his decision to leave the position, although he will continue as President of the organisation.

It comes as British Cycling is at the centre of a UK Sport investigation into their practices after sexism complaints were made by Jess Varnish last year relating to comments made by former technical director Shane Sutton.

A UK Anti-Doping investigation is also ongoing looking into the contents of packages given to the now retired Sir Bradley Wiggins during a race in June 2011, which had medication inside for the eight-time Olympic medallist which is alleged to have breached therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) rules.

“I am honoured to have been elected as the new chair of British Cycling at such an important moment in its history,” Browning, the former Volkswagen USA chief executive, said.

“I look forward to working with the executive leadership team, including our new performance director Stephen Park, to do just that.”

He added that an announcement on a new chief executive, following Ian Drake’s departure last month, is expected in the “next few weeks”.

Howden welcomed the appointment of Browning.

“The appointment of an independent chair brings British Cycling more closely in line with the new Code for Sports Governance and is also an important step in work that has been going on for some time in updating the structures of the organisation to ensure we have the capacity to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” he said.