Four new members have been appointed to the Cricket Regulatory Board, which is an independent body established as part of the sport’s response to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report.
The Regulatory Board has following main roles:
- To oversee the Cricket Regulator, the new investigation and prosecution unit that was established in December 2023
- To advise the ECB Board on cricket’s policy, approach, and legislation in regulatory and integrity matters across the sport.
- The Regulatory Board is chaired by Nic Coward and focuses on anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, anti-doping, safeguarding, general misconduct, agency activity, and health and safe.
The Regulatory Board has welcomed four new members:
Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, who joins from his role as Global Healthcare Transformation Director for BUPA.
Helen Stephenson CBE, CEO of the Charity Commission for England and Wales; and Mark Thompson, former CEO of ITV. Helen previously served as Director of Early Years and Childcare at the Department for Education, as well as Director of the Office for Civil Society and Government Innovation Group, and Head of Strategic Policy and Partnerships for the Big Lottery Fund. She currently holds a position on the National Lottery Community Fund Board, as well as a previous position on the Board of the Big Society Trust and as Chair of the National Childbirth Trust.
Dr Priya Singh, Chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and of the NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board, and an executive director at the Society for Assistance of Medical Families. Priya has a background in general medical practice and as a specialist in medical law, ethics, risk and safety. She was responsible at the Medical Protection Society for professional services to 290,000 health professionals around the world. Previously Deputy Chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, member of the London Policing Ethics Panel, and associate with Working With Cancer.
Suzanne Jacob OBE, Chief Executive of SafeLives from 2017 to recent times, and a trustee of Crimestoppers UK. Over two decades experience in the field of safeguarding, vulnerability and support for those who have suffered as a result of crime and discrimination. Suzanne has held a number of roles at the Home Office, including responsibility for intelligence and security for the London 2012 Olympics. She has also worked in a voluntary capacity for Victim Support.
The following individuals will be joining us as non-executive members:
Nic Coward (Chair) has extensive experience in the sports industry, having served as Chair or CEO of numerous national governing bodies, including football, golf, horseracing and athletics. He has also served as General Secretary of the Premier League and continues to provide counsel to sports and entertainment businesses globally. He currently chairs numerous companies and representative organisations.
Kathryn Richardson is the General Counsel of Paramount's UK television and streaming business, which includes Channel 5. Previously, she held the position of Head of Commercial Rights & Business Affairs at the BBC. She is also a director of YouView and the Creative Diversity Network and a Level 2 cricket coach.
Jerry Cope was Group Managing Director of Royal Mail, Chair of both Kingston and London South Bank Universities, Chair of the Prison Service and NHS Pay Review bodies, and Chair of the Croydon Health Alliance. He was also heavily involved in bridge and other sports, and was chair of a leadership consultancy to the private and public sectors before its sale to a listed company.
Rajesh Pillai KC is a King's Counsel specialising in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration, as well as regulatory matters. He is also New York and BVI bar qualified.
Jim Wood is an experienced professional, having previously served as Chair of Devon Cricket and the Recreational Assembly, as well as on the ECB Board. He has a deep understanding of social care, with a specific focus on safeguarding.