Durham's Harker to leave office in May

By Tim Wellock

Durham’s chief executive, David Harker, is to step down after 22 years with the club he joined as financial controller in 1991. He will leave in May to pursue a private business venture, leaving head coach Geoff Cook as the club’s longest-serving employee.

Both joined in the year prior to Durham’s elevation to first-class status and Durham had three chief executives before Harker took on the role in 2000. He has been invited to take up a role as a non-executive director after he leaves.

Harker said: “The club has changed beyond recognition since I joined the team, and it’s a real honour to have played a part in the fantastic achievements.

“However, with an Ashes Test secured for 2013 – something we could once have scarcely imagined happening in Durham - and a very strong and committed management team now on board, I had been thinking that the coming year may be the one in which I looked for a new challenge.

“Whatever you achieve, there is always the temptation to stay on and reach the next goal and the next one after that, which explains why I have been here for such a long time. But it does feel like now is the time to step aside and pass on the reins to someone else. I’m thrilled that I can retain involvement in a non-executive capacity.”

Durham chairman Clive Leach said the club would not be rushing into appointing a new chief executive. “We are very sorry to see David go,” he said. “He has been so good for the club and has helped to take it from the bottom – both as a business and sports team – to the top. DCCC is now an organisation that is recognised on a national and international stage and this is, in no small part, down to the hard work of David and his management team.

“We won’t be rushing into making any decisions about how we replace David at this stage. He has made a significant contribution and we’ll now be taking stock and ensuring that we make the decision that is right for the long-term future of the club.”
 



Date: 14/12/2012 15:41:49 by Tim Wellock
In: Today | Durham |