Mitchell re-elected as Metherell chairs PCA Board

Professional Cricketers’ Association Chairman Daryl Mitchell has been re-elected for a second and final term while recently appointed Non-Executive Director Julian Metherell has stepped up to become Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

News on the chairmanship came following the PCA Annual General Meeting, which was held at the Kia Oval today, Tuesday 26 February 2019.

Mitchell was voted in as head of the Association in 2017, replacing Mark Wallace who had completed the maximum four years’ service. Appointed a PCA representative in 2009, he has been a key figure on the PCA Committee ever since and now has the opportunity to complete his task of overseeing the rapid change within English cricket.

The 35-year-old has sat on the ECB Cricket Committee since 2016 and during the Worcestershire batsman’s first term, the PCA dealt with a considerable amount of change and uncertainty within English cricket, undertaken a governance review, and for the first time entered into negotiations with the ECB and the counties over the new County Partnership Agreement. He has also played a key role in the development of the new tournament for 2020 by representing player views.

Meanwhile, the PCA Committee ratified the appointment of Metherell as Non-Exec Chairman, replacing Matthew Wheeler who has stood down after 10 years at the Association, with the last five as Non-Exec Chairman.

A PCA member due to his time as a professional player at Northamptonshire, Wheeler joined the Board in May 2009 before taking over as Non-Exec Chairman in July 2014.

Metherell will immediately take over all responsibilities as the Non-Exec Chairman after initially appointed to the Board as a Non-Exec Director in December 2018. He is currently a Partner of MW & L Capital Limited. Their principal activities are in shipping, energy and financial services.

He sits on the Board of Gaslog, a New York listed shipping business where he chairs the Remuneration Committee.  In addition, he is a Trustee of the Royal Opera House, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and sits on a number of sub-committees.

Metherell also chairs the Benenden School Trust whose primary objective is to raise funds for new capital projects and bursaries and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Cambridge University Business School.

PCA Chairman Daryl Mitchell said:

“I am delighted to be re-elected as Chairman of the PCA and excited about the opportunity to help the organisation move forward over the next term.

“It has been a real honour and a privilege to hold the post for the last two years and whilst there have been difficult moments, I’ve enjoyed the challenges immensely.”

PCA Non-Executive Chairman Julian Metherell said:

“To be elected Non-Executive Chairman of the PCA is a very privileged position and something I am honoured to accept. I look forward to maintaining the excellent regard in which the PCA is held and to continue Matthew’s work in a hugely exciting time for professional cricketers in this country.

“I am eager to forge close relationships with David, Daryl and the team to contribute to the ongoing success of the PCA.”

Outgoing PCA Non-Executive Chairman Matthew Wheeler said:

“The players are the heart of the game and it has been a privilege and an honour to be involved with the PCA for the past 10 years. It is an organisation that plays a pivotal role and does a huge amount of outstanding work – much of it unseen.

“I wish the PCA and the fantastic team all the very best and am confident that it will continue to thrive under the outstanding leadership of Daryl, David and Julian.”

PCA Chief Executive David Leatherdale said:

“Daryl has worked tirelessly to support and represent of all our members across a vast array of key areas and his direct involvement in negotiations over the last 15 months on the County Partnership Agreement has been invaluable and hugely respected by all involved.

“Julian has been appointed following a detailed search for a new Non-Exec Chairman of the PCA Board and I am sure he will bring his exemplary business skills, as well as his love of cricket to the fore. I am looking forward to working with Julian to continue to develop the PCA and the role we play within the game through representing our members.

“I would personally like to thank Matthew for his work over the last 10 years and particularly in his role as Non-Exec Chairman. There have been a number of substantial challenges over recent years and Matthew’s wise council, both to me personally and to the Board as a whole, has been greatly appreciated by all and we wish him the very best for the future.”