Neil Snowball named new ECB managing director of county cricket

The 53-year-old, who was appointed to his current position in 2016, was described in an ECB statement as "the outstanding choice, from a high-quality list of candidates" following a search led by headhunters SRI

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Warwickshire chief executive Neil Snowball is to become the ECB's new managing director of county cricket.

Snowball will succeed Gordon Hollins in the role when he moves from Edgbaston to Lord's later this year.

The 53-year-old, who was appointed to his current position in 2016, was described in an ECB statement as "the outstanding choice, from a high-quality list of candidates" following a search led by headhunters SRI. 

"Snowball has a detailed understanding and appreciation of international, domestic and recreational cricket as well as considerable experience of the sports industry," the statement read.

In his new job, Snowball will act as the conduit between the counties and the governing body, as well as take the reins of the Inspiring Generations action plan from the ECB - with the expressed aim of developing cricket in England and Wales.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warwickshire and I am grateful to the chairman and our board of directors for giving me the opportunity to lead such a great club, and for all of their support over the last four years," he said.

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"It is a huge honour to be entrusted with such an important role within the game and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the many talented and dedicated people across the cricket network.

"The incredible performances that we witnessed from the England men’s team in 2019 were made possible through the existence of a strong recreational and a vibrant professional game in this country and this underlines the significant role they have to play in helping to deliver the ECB’s five-year strategy ‘Inspiring Generations’."

Snowball takes over at a time when the county game finds itself in a period of uncertainty and transition, with The Hundred's inaugural season looming and question marks remaining over the future of the 18-club structure.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "Neil was the outstanding choice, in a high-calibre list of candidates, for a role that is pivotal in our plans to grow the game.

"I am certain that his experience of the issues and opportunities within cricket, in addition to his vast experience across the sporting landscape, will be invaluable to the ECB at a landmark moment for the game. 

"This is an exciting time for cricket with £500million set to be invested into the network over the next five years as we look to support and nurture the core, grow the game and make sure that cricket remains relevant for generations to come."

Snowball is expected to formally join the ECB in the second quarter of 2020. With Hollins due to leave the organisation at the end of January, former MCC chief exec Derek Brewer will step into the breach in an interim capacity until Snowball arrives.

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