The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has welcomed Richard Thompson as its next chair, succeeding Martin Darlow, who has been interim chair since April.
Thompson joins from Surrey County Cricket Club where, as chair, he oversaw the launch of Surrey’s ACE Programme in 2020. This is now an independent charity designed to engage a new generation of children and young people from black communities in playing cricket.
Thompson has also seen the county redevelop the Kia Oval stadium.
Outside of cricket, Thompson is the founder and chair of talent management agency M&C Saatchi Merlin, as well as chair of the broader M&C Saatchi UK Group. He chairs the Southshore Group (an ITV-owned production company); he is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and is chair and founder of its Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD) campaign.
Brenda Trenowden CBE, independent director and chair of the ECB nominations committee, commented: “We are delighted to announce Richard’s arrival to the ECB as chair. His blend of exceptional commercial and cricket administration experience supports our aims to grow and diversify the game whilst guiding the game as we face challenging financial headwinds.”