Malcolm Speed

The ICC has confirmed the appointment of Malcolm Speed as its Chief Executive. Mr Speed is currently Chief Executive of the Australian Cricket Board and will succeed David Richards, who has held the position since its creation in 1993.

Mr Speed has been selected following an exhaustive search in all regions of the world for a replacement for Mr Richards, who is returning to live in Australia.

A panel headed by ICC President Malcolm Gray and including Peter Chingoka, Zimbabwe, Rene Van Lerschot, Netherlands (representing Associate Members), Lord MacLaurin, England and Ehsan Mani of Pakistan was given authority by the Executive Board to undertake the search and make an appointment.

"The task, quite simply, was to recruit the best candidate for the job of leading the ICC's on-going development as cricket's world governing body, with increasing stature and effectiveness, said Malcolm Gray.

"As Chief Executive of Australian cricket for the past four years, Malcolm has most ably demonstrated the qualities required. We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to become ICC Chief Executive at a time when the organisation has committed itself to a period of rapid growth and expansion," he added.

Mr Speed, who is a qualified barrister, has been heavily involved in Australian basketball as Chairman of both the National Basketball League and Basketball Australia. He has also run his own sports management business. He will relocate from Melbourne to London and take over from David Richards at the beginning of July, initially for a three year term.

"There are many exciting challenges facing international cricket at this time and I am honoured to have been chosen to take the ICC forward," commented Mr Speed. "This will be a stimulating task for me and my new colleagues and one that I am looking forward to with great anticipation," he said.

The ICC's search for a new Chief Executive was co-ordinated internationally by Russell Reynolds Associates. Their brief was to secure the best-qualified person for the position from suitably qualified candidates in sports administration and the wider world of corporate business.

"In the final analysis Malcolm Speed brings with him the experience of having been a successful cricketing executive. But we were equally prepared to select someone from outside the game if that individual convinced the selection panel of his or her merits," confirmed Malcolm Gray.

Mr Gray also paid tribute to outgoing Chief Executive David Richards. "David has been a totally committed leader of the ICC for nearly eight years. He has grown the organisation from a staff of two to the present level where there are 21 full time employees. During this period he has also helped to secure the game's financial future with the signing of the multi million-dollar deal with World Sports Group/News Corp. He was also a leading architect of the Global Development Program, which is taking the game to many millions of potential new players and enthusiasts."

Media enquiries relating to this statement should be addressed to:
Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7266 7913/1818
Email: mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org

© ICC