Lamb to leave ECB chief executive post

Tim Lamb

Tim Lamb, the Chief Executive of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) since 1997, is to step down from his post at the end of September.

Announcing his decision today, Lamb (51) said: “I feel that after nearly eight years in the role I have probably taken the ECB as far as I can. As the organisation moves into the next phase of its development with a revised strategic plan and new challenges to face, it’s time to move on and hand over the reins to someone else.

“I have been privileged to be the first Chief Executive of ECB following its creation as the single national governing body for cricket in England and Wales back in January 1997, and I am very proud of the Board’s many and varied achievements since that time.

"I believe that cricket as a sport has a new vibrancy about it and has taken some significant steps forward at all levels in recent years. I hope that’s the generally held view among those who follow and support the game.”

Reflecting on his time as Chief Executive, Lamb said: “It’s a high-intensity role that has demanded my total focus and commitment for a considerable period of time now. Sometimes, if you’re not careful, the job can almost take over your life completely, and inevitably there have been sacrifices that have needed to be made from both a personal and a family point of view.

"I still feel that I have plenty to offer, but I think now is the time to stand aside before I risk losing any of my motivation or enthusiasm.

"There are some important tasks to complete over the next four months, including the delivery of a world class ICC Champions Trophy tournament on behalf of the international community in September. Then I shall feel ready to move on and let others build on what has been started.”

Commenting on Lamb’s decision, ECB Chairman David Morgan said: “Having been Chief Executive of ECB since its inception in 1997, Tim has played a major role in the improvement in the England Team’s performance as well as doing much to develop cricket at the grass roots and to popularise the game.

"He will leave behind a solid base on which his successor will be able to work to develop the business.

“It has been a privilege to work with Tim in the establishment and subsequent development of the single governing body for cricket in England and Wales, and he will also be missed by those in the international cricket community where he has performed with distinction over the last decade.”

Key achievements of the ECB since Tim Lamb became its first Chief Executive in 1997:

• An increase in the Board’s annual income from £38m in 1996 to a projected £77m in 2005.

• The award of over £100m of Lottery funding, including nearly £30m to help finance capital improvements at First Class County grounds. Cricket has received more individual Lottery awards than any other sport.

• Central contracts for England cricketers, together with significant uplifts in players’ fees, prize money and fringe benefits.

• A more extensive and professional management and support structure for the England Team.

• The establishment of a National Academy, underpinned by a network of 18 First Class County Academies.

• Significant reforms to the domestic First Class playing programme including a divisional structure with promotion and relegation, floodlit cricket, coloured clothing and, most recently, Twenty20 Cricket.

• An annual mid-summer triangular One-Day International series, sponsored by NatWest and building on the legacy of the 1999 ICC World Cup.

• An innovative and award-winning television broadcasting partnership with Channel 4 Television.

• The development – through the ECB corporate logo – of a recognisable and consistent brand for English and Welsh cricket from the England Team down to grassroots.

• A policy of greater accessibility to the media.

• The acceptance of the principle of performance-related fee payments to the First Class Counties with effect from 1st January 2005.

• A revamped national coaching scheme and the formation of an ECB Coaches Association. Ten thousand members registered since January 2002.

• A resurgence of interest and participation in cricket among children – boys and girls – in schools and clubs. There are now nearly 2.5 million children playing cricket and there are more than 3,500 clubs in England and Wales with junior sections.

• The establishment of a nationwide network of County Development Officers (some 75 in total).

• The drawing up of development plans in each of the 38 County Boards, tailored to local needs and circumstances.

• Racial equality and child protection policies and action plans that are more advanced than those of any other sport.

• A volunteer recruitment strategy that has seen over 3,000 new volunteers becoming involved in cricket since 2001.

• The setting up of six University Centres of Cricket Excellence.

• The establishment of a network of Premier Club Leagues.

• A significant growth in interest and participation in women’s cricket. There are now more than half a million girls playing cricket, while the number of Counties entering teams into the various age group and senior competitions has increased by 60 per cent in four years. The England senior women’s team continues to improve in terms of its results and its professionalism.

• ECB’s accreditation as an Investor in People reaffirmed in April 2004.

• Finally, ECB is budgeting to make a profit of £3m in 2004, and for the first time is now in a position to build up a significant financial reserve by the end of 2005 to help the game protect itself against future financial shocks.