Cricket Australia have confirmed their new CEO on Wednesday Morning, with Kevin Roberts stepping up to take the top job.
With outgoing CEO James Sutherland announcing his resignation following the ball-tampering debacle in South Africa earlier this year, he steps out of the job to be succeeded by the man who has served under him as chief operating officer.
Sutherland held off his resignation long enough so Cricket Australia could have a smooth handover process of the position.
Roberts joined the board of Cricket Australia in 2012, and in 2015 relinquished his position to assume an executive role with responsibilities for strategy, people, culture, technology, female engagement and member services. In May this year, Kevin was promoted to the new role of Chief Operating Officer at Cricket Australia.
Chairman David Peever said Roberts was the best candidate for the important position.
“Our position within the Australian community and as a representative on the global stage is key to our success. Kevin is the best candidate for our organisation and has been given a clear mandate by the Board to deliver our strategy to ensure cricket maintains a strong and sustainable foothold in sport locally and globally,” said Peever.
“Given the complexity of the role and the increasing challenges facing our sport, the Board concluded that an internal candidate with first-hand experience driving strategic transformation and engagement at CA would be best placed to help ensure continued success for Australian cricket.”
Prior to joining Cricket Australia, Roberts worked with Netball Australia and the Australian Sporting Goods Association, while he also played 23 games for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield competition, as well as representing the Australian national team in junior cricket.
Roberts said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead and serve the cricket community as CEO of Cricket Australia. I thank the Board for this opportunity and look forward to commencing in the role,” said Roberts.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Idle Fact: The previous four CEO's to Roberts, who stretch back to 1980, were all Victorians.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
"Roberts joined the board of Cricket Australia in 2012, and in 2015 relinquished his position to assume an executive role with responsibilities for strategy, people, culture, technology, female engagement and member services." So considering the most serious problems CA has faced over the past year have been to do with people and culture, why on earth would you promote the person who has been responsible for those things? Astounding.
JayG
Guest
I am stunned. Absolutely did not see this coming.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
The ACA has been pretty moderate in their response to the appointment Sutherland saying that "sometimes a strong internal candidate is the ideal person for the job" doesn't cover all the times when an external candidate can bring the better perspective. Five years as COO doesn't speak too highly of what he has,or should have already brought to the Board and its actions on behalf of the cricketing public. Am I expecting too much? Played for NSW ,tick,tick, Australian Sporting Goods Association rep,(salesman,)tick,Netball,(it's a sport,right,)tick,played hardline in the players' dispute,tick,tick,tick. I'll be gobsmacked if he's any better than Sutherland and that's a low bar to pass under
Rellum
Roar Guru
Roberts is more of a company/Peever man than Sutherland was so don't expect any change from CA. That review has been a sham from the beginning.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
So now Peever has been reappointed and we have a new CEO before / in total disregard of the pending ethics review of CA. By jingos that review is going to be hard hitting and meaningful, isn’t it?
Paul
Roar Guru
Who was considered? I'm also wondering why Sutherland needs to stay on for a year? That is just plain dumb, unless of course that means he gets a freebie to the WC and the Ashes.
kopa shamsu
Guest
i hope he has more love for cricket than money unlike his predecessor.
Rellum
Roar Guru
So situation normal then.