Middlesex reopen seek for new chair after drawing clean in recruitment course of

Middlesex have reopened their seek for a successor to Mike O’Farrell, the membership’s outgoing chair, after failing to id an acceptable alternative in the course of the authentic recruitment course of.

The state of affairs was mentioned at a board assembly this week, with the expectation that an interim chair might be appointed on the membership’s forthcoming AGM, with O’Farrell resulting from step down from the function on April 4.

“The nominations committee will begin the recruitment process again, with immediate effect, as the search to find the right chair for the club moving forwards continues,” Middlesex mentioned in an announcement.

“The importance of ensuring that Mike’s successor is the right person for the role, who understands the unique challenges of everything it presents, is a critical factor in their appointment.”

The challenges at Middlesex differ from these on the different first-class counties, in that the membership doesn’t personal its dwelling floor, Lord’s, and as a substitute has to handle an ongoing relationship with their landlords, MCC.

And it was maybe with that situation in thoughts that Ed Warner, the previous chair of UK Athletics who put himself ahead as one of many authentic seven candidates for the function, not too long ago wrote in City AM a few course of that he described as being “at turns fascinating, frustrating, farcical and fun”.

“It was clear that questions about equality, diversity and inclusion would be front and centre,” Warner wrote. “But more surprising was the lack of emphasis at interview on sporting success, especially for the men’s elite squad.”

Middlesex have been promoted again to Division One of the County Championship final summer time, having received the title again in 2016. The enjoying aspect of the membership is a fancy association, and at present includes Richard Johnson as first-team coach, Alan Coleman as director of cricket and Mark Lane as participant pathway head coach, all of whom report into Andrew Cornish as chief government.

Cornish could possibly be a candidate to step up as interim chair, with the membership including that the appointment, “should it be required, will be from the club’s board or executive management group”.