Richard Thompson on Saturday was announced as the next Chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Thompson, 55, will take up the five-year post from September 1 and will be leaving his current role of Chair at Surrey County Cricket Club and will fill the position left vacant since Ian Watmore stepped down in October 2021.
Thompson has plenty of experience from his career across sport and business and it will most likely help him in his new endeavour.
Thompson’s appointment came following a rigorous selection process, chaired by Independent Director Brenda Trenowden. The Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Thompson to the ECB Board and he is now all set to succeed Martin Darlow, who has been in post as Interim Chair since April.
“I am immensely proud to become Chair of the ECB at what is a hugely important time for cricket. Cricket has given me the chance to meet an incredibly diverse range of amazing people. Their passion, endeavor and love for the game is what I want to harness, to take our game forward, to new heights across England & Wales,” Thompson said.
“Cricket should be the most inclusive sport in the country, welcoming people from all backgrounds, helping bring communities together. For those communities where we have fallen short, I will work tirelessly to restore their trust in the game,” the former Chair at Surrey County Cricket Club said.