The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today welcomes Ian Watmore into the role of Chair as he begins his tenure by announcing a series of Board updates.
Ian was officially confirmed as Chair at the ECB Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. Following a handover and onboarding process, he begins the role today, succeeding Colin Graves CBE after a successful five-year tenure that saw England lift two ODI ICC Cricket World Cups, as well as securing a record £1.1billion media rights deal.
The Board updates announced by Ian today are the result of a thorough consultation between the Board and Executive Management Team. They are designed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Lord Kamlesh Patel as Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chair. They will also further enhance the Board’s cricket, finance, governance, and strategic capacity.
Barry O'Brien will take over as Deputy Chair and will also act as the Alternate Director to represent the ECB on the ICC Board when required. O'Brien was appointed to the ECB in May 2018, as an Independent Director. Before his appointment, O'Brien served as Chairman of Glamorgan for 7 years since his appointment in September 2011.
Commenting, ECB’s Chair Ian Watmore said: “I’m delighted to officially start my role as Chair today following a really informative and consultative onboarding process led by Tom Harrison and his team. I am grateful to everyone I have met at the ECB, the First Class Counties and the Recreational Game for their welcome, help and advice. It is a privilege to succeed outgoing Chair, Colin Graves, and I would like to thank him for his tremendous achievements in the role.
“I’m really pleased to announce these updates to the Board structure today, and I look forward to working with those taking on new roles and responsibilities. I am also keen to draw further on the immense skills and experiences of all the Board members as we continue to allocate leadership and sponsorship responsibilities in line with the priority areas for Inspiring Generations.”
Hugh Morris, Glamorgan Chief Executive said: “We are looking forward to working with Ian closely and welcome him to the ECB and cricketing community, and we are excited at the prospect of supporting his vision for the game in England and Wales.
"We are also delighted to see Barry O'Brien appointed as Deputy Chair. He played a key role in re-building Glamorgan County Cricket Club between 2011 to 2018 and creating a more sustainable Club for the future. Barry is still a keen follower of the side, having been born and raised in Cardiff and watching his first cricket at the old Cardiff Arms Park.
"Everyone at Glamorgan wishes both Ian and Barry the best of luck in their new roles."
The updates to the ECB Board include:
• Brenda Trenowden will take over as the Board’s Senior Independent Director. She will also chair the expanded Environmental, Social and Governance sub-committee. • Barry O’Brien will take over as Deputy Chair and will also act as the Alternate Director to represent the ECB on the ICC Board when required. • Alan Dickinson will chair an enhanced Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee of the Board. • A process to recruit a new Independent Director will commence during September with new appointments being made by 1 November 2020. • Derek Brewer’s term as Board Advisor on Network Stakeholders will be extended to the 2021 AGM.
In addition, Sir Andrew Strauss has accepted an invitation to attend Board meetings in a non-voting capacity. He, along with former England cricketer and Board member, Lucy Pearson, deepen the provision of first-hand top-level cricket input for the men’s and women’s games.
Today also marks an end to Senior Independent Director Lord Kamlesh Patel’s five-year tenure on the Board. During this time, Lord Patel was involved in a number of significant changes, most notably the creation of the 2018 action plan to engage South Asian audiences, the establishment of the ECB’s Governance Committee and his key contributions to the creation of the Inspiring Generations strategy.