Boards of Scotland and Namibia announce new CEOs

Consecutive days have seen two leading Associate members announce new CEOs.

Replacing Peter Forster in Namibia is Johan Muller who joins from South Africa’s Northerns Cricket Union where he was Cricket Operation Manager.

Muller has recent experience with Cricket Namibia; he travelled to the country in 2018 alongside Titans CEO Jacques Faul to “conduct a series of discussions relating to corporate engagement strategy, business strategy and operational improvement”, according to a CN story at the time.

Johan was the coaching manager of the Northerns Cricket Union for five years before being promoted to operations manager.

Speaking to invited guests at the send off for the men’s team to the global T20 World Cup Qualifier over the weekend he highlighted Cricket Namibia’s strong focus on attracting corporate partners.

“To all our current and new sponsors, I would like to guarantee that we are committed to present the best administrative support to your brand and we are excited to work together on this journey to achieve a common goal. We would like to partner with all media houses to make sure that all cricket programs in Namibia get exposure,” he was quoted during the function.

Meanwhile, after a lengthy search which commenced not long after the announcement of Malcolm Cannon‘s departure in July, Cricket Scotland has announced the appointment of former Zimbabwe international Gus Mackay as its new Chief Executive. He moves from the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club where he was Managing Director.

Mackay has held senior roles in sports businesses and governing bodies, and his cricket CV includes roles as Managing Director of CriqHQ – Europe (2015/17); Managing Director, Cricket of Surrey County Cricket Club (2008/10); Chief Executive of Sussex County Cricket Club (2006/8); Operations Director of Leicestershire County Cricket Club (2003/6).

Before moving to the Unite Kingdom he was General Manager of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (2002/3). He also played 3 ODIs for Zimbabwe in 2001 against Australia and New Zealand.

He said “This is an exciting time for the game in Scotland and I am delighted to have been appointed Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland. I have been impressed with the clear vision, strategy and more importantly, commitment of the Board to achieve Full Member Status of the International Cricket Council. This will help us achieve our vision to make cricket mainstream in Scotland and thereby ensure the long term sustainability of the game here.

“Clearly cricket in Scotland is progressing in the right direction for both the men’s and women’s game, as demonstrated by the ICC rankings, while Scotland is regarded as one of the top Associate Countries.

“I look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved in the game from colleagues, clubs, schools, regional associations, supporters, volunteers and commercial partners to drive a bottom up approach to achieving our goals in the new strategy.”

Tony Brian, Chair of Cricket Scotland said “We are currently finalising an ambitious strategy which aims to make cricket one of the mainstream sports in Scotland over the next ten years, with a wide increase in participation and which sees us becoming a Full Member of the International Cricket Council within the next five. Gus’ proven skills as a leader of sports bodies and his wide network of contacts throughout the cricketing world make him the ideal person to lead cricket in Scotland through the next, and exciting, phase of our development.”