Leshia Hawkins: Cricket Wales CEO to take new role at ECB

Cricket Wales chief executive Leshia Hawkins is leaving to take up a newly-created post with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Hawkins has been appointed as managing director of the recreational game, with a brief to lead the growth of participation in the sport.

She will move to Lord's early in 2024.

"I am extremely proud to have been asked to take on this role, especially at such a critical moment for our sport," said Hawkins.

"I am acutely cognisant of the challenges ahead, but I also see enormous opportunities for the recreational game to further grow its reach and relevance, and to underpin all of cricket's objectives in the coming years."

Hawkins is a playing member of the MCC and recently joined their women's players and fixtures sub-committee. She is also a non-executive director at England Athletics and previously worked for the ECB in both the commercial and participation divisions.

She took up the role of Cricket Wales CEO in February 2020, also representing the body on the board of directors at Glamorgan Cricket.

"While I am, of course, very sad to be leaving a job, team - and country - that I adore, I know the game in Wales will continue to flourish as it has, despite the myriad external challenges, over the last four years," said Hawkins.

"I feel deeply privileged to be taking up this new post, and I look forward to playing the fullest possible role I can to ensure that cricket achieves its goal of becoming the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales."

Richard Gould, ECB chief executive officer, said: "We're delighted to be able to bring Leshia into our team to lead such a crucial area of the game.

"The whole game will benefit from her expertise, her experience and her enthusiasm to take cricket forward.

"We know that cricket can have a vital social impact, and by supporting inclusive recreational cricket communities we can both bring more people into the game and also help sustain the future of the sport."