ECB board set for further change as five non-executive roles advertised

GEORGE DOBELL: The changes mean that the identities of at least seven of the 12-strong board will have changed within a few months and follows the recent appointments of Richard Thompson (chair) and Richard Gould (CEO)

The ECB is set for further significant change after it emerged that almost half the board is set to be replaced.

The ECB, which has recently announced the appointment of a new CEO and chair, is now advertising for five non-executive roles. That includes the role of senior independent non-executive director, which was held by Brenda Trenowden until her death recently.

The board has attracted harsh criticism in recent times. That has, in part, been due to its lack of cricket specific knowledge, while the first-class counties have felt increasingly marginalised by their lack of representation. Both these factors are likely to change following this new recruitment process.

The changes mean that the identities of at least seven of the 12-strong board will have changed within a few months. It continues a process which has seen Richard Thompson and Richard Gould, once the ECB's most vocal critics, appointed as chair and CEO respectively, and could yet come to be seen as a significant change of course from the organisation. Intriguingly, the role specification says the ECB are "looking for experience of managing complex, multi stakeholder change management projects."

^{Richard Thompson [Ben Hoskins/Getty Images] and Richard Gould [Tolga Akmen/Getty Images] have recently joined the board}

Lucy Pearson, who is the only former international cricketer on the board at present, is among those who have indicated they don't want to see re-election. So, too, has Baroness Valerie Amos.

Meanwhile, Jim Wood, who was originally appointed as the representative of the recreational game and played such a huge role in pushing through the Hundred, has reached the end of his term limit having served since 2014. Barry O'Brien, who acted as interim chair of the ECB until poor health intervened, is also stepping down to become a senior advisor to the board.

In addition, Katie Bickerstaffe is at the end of her first three-year term and the recruitment process will consider her potential reappointment. Clare Connor, meanwhile, is currently on the board in her capacity as interim CEO. She will be replaced when the new CEO starts in the new year. The ECB hope that all the appointments can be ratified at next year's AGM, which is typically held in the early weeks of the English season.

The roles require an anticipated commitment of 26 days a year for three years, with the potential for a further three years subject to board and member approval. The remuneration package is understood to be worth around £30,000.

"In recruiting these roles, we are looking for outstanding candidates who can help lead and support the growth of cricket in England and Wales, and to help our sport become more equal, inclusive and diverse at a vital time," Thompson said. "The recruitment process will, of course, ensure we meet the requirements in the articles of association in relation to the required numbers of cricket and independent directors."

Whether the changes come in time to prevent a radical restructuring in the governance of the game remains to be seen. The sport's difficulties in dealing with issues around inclusion and discrimination have increased calls for a new regulator. Those calls may well grow in volume in the coming months as more reports into such issues are published.

Further details about the roles can be found here.

Related Topics

• Richard Gould appointed ECB chief executive