Middlesex reopen search for new chair after declining to appoint from first set of candidates

NICK FRIEND: Middlesex are searching for a successor to Mike O'Farrell but opted not to hire any of the seven interviewees to come through the initial process

Middlesex have been forced to restart their search for a new chair after none of the seven candidates originally interviewed were appointed to the role.

They have been actively looking for Mike O'Farrell's successor since late November, when an advert appeared on the club's website.

But following the decision not to follow through on any of their initial shortlist, they are effectively back to square one.

The Cricketer understands that the matter was discussed at a board meeting on January 31, with Middlesex's decision not to appoint from the first round of applicants understood to have been down to a sense that they had not found the right person for what they consider a complex post.

The running of Middlesex is particularly complicated – and throws up different challenges to those that come with the chairship at most other counties – given they don't own Lord's and instead have a relationship to manage with the MCC. Therefore, they are keen for O'Farrell's replacement to have a handle on the nuances of that delicate situation.

The specification put out two months ago outlined the ideal candidate as "an individual of outstanding achievement, with the time, passion and commitment to devote to the board and associated stakeholders at this important time in the development of the sport, representing the club at a variety of levels ranging from local recreational cricket clubs and associations through to the government, and the ECB and MCC".

^{Middlesex play home games at Lord's but don't own the ground (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)}

Ed Warner, who spent a decade as chair of UK Athletics, was one of the candidates; The Cricketer understands that he was interviewed twice for the post.

He described the process in City AM as "at turns fascinating, frustrating, farcical and fun".

"It was clear that questions about equality, diversity and inclusion would be front and centre," he wrote, admitting his surprise at what he considered a "lack of emphasis at interview on sporting success, especially for the men's elite squad".

But the principal responsibilities documented in the job advert mainly relate to governance, inclusion and community matters; Middlesex – promoted back to Division One of the County Championship in September after a five-year hiatus – employ Richard Johnson as first-team coach, Alan Coleman as director of cricket, Mark Lane as player pathway head coach and Andrew Cornish as chief executive to lead the playing side of the business. Stuart Law was sacked as head coach last winter following a performance review.

By restarting the recruitment process, Middlesex risk running into their AGM, scheduled for April 4, without a successor in place. Should that be the case, the county would likely put in place an interim chair, with O'Farrell standing down as planned.

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