Former England Men’s batter and National Selector Ed Smith is to be appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the ECB Board from October 1, 2026.
Smith will bring additional international cricket experience to the Board having served as National Selector from 2018 until 2021, a period which saw the England Men’s team win the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2019.
During a 12-year playing career, Smith played three Test matches for England and scored more than 17,000 runs in domestic cricket for Middlesex and Kent. Since the end of his playing career, Smith co-founded the Institute of Sports Humanities and is the author of five books.
He is currently serving a one-year term as MCC President, and will join the ECB Board in October once his term concludes. As a Non-Executive Board member, Smith will provide scrutiny and challenge, looking at the long-term strategy and governance of the whole game, including performance cricket.
A place has become available on the Board due to Baroness Zahida Manzoor reaching the end of her three-year term as a Non-Executive Director at the ECB’s Annual General Meeting in May.
Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Ed Smith to the ECB Board as a Non-Executive Director. Ed brings sharp thinking and a real depth of domestic and international cricketing experience. Alongside his cricket background, he has a strong strategic mindset and an independent voice that will add real value to our Board discussions.
“Our sincere thanks go to Baroness Manzoor for her significant contribution, commitment and deep care shown throughout her three years on the ECB Board.”
Ed Smith said: “I am delighted to be joining the ECB Board. Having been involved in the England Men’s set up before as National Selector, I am pleased to be able to contribute again to English Cricket, this time as a Non-Executive Director. It is an extremely important period for both the England Men’s and Women’s teams and I am looking forward to working with Richard and the Board."
Notes to editors
Ed’s appointment will be ratified at the ECB Annual General Meeting in May.