Lancashire Cricket announces Board update following last week’s Annual General Meeting
Lancashire Cricket can confirm some changes to the Club’s Board, following last Thursday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place in The Point at Emirates Old Trafford.
Chris Peacock has been appointed onto the Board, voted by Members, as a Non-Executive Director responsible for Member Services and Communication. Chris will help support the growth and engagement of the Club’s Membership and will represent the communities of the Red Rose County to support future strategy and initiatives.
As an experienced and skilled Director with a proven track record in member services and communications, Chris has committed to working collaboratively with Members, the Executive Team at the Club, as well as with the Members’ Representative Group.
Chris’ relationship with the Club began at an early age when his late father introduced him and his brother to Lancashire Cricket in 1990 when they joined as Members along with his uncle who is a Life Member.
Speaking about his appointment to the Board, Chris Peacock said: “As a long-term Member of Lancashire Cricket, it is an honour and a privilege to have been elected to the Board as a Non-Executive Director responsible for Member Services and Communication.
“Lancashire Cricket has been a huge part of mine and my family’s life and I am looking forward to beginning my work in this new role to assist the Club with engaging with our current Members and enhancing their experiences with the Club and continuing to expand and grow a diverse and engaged Membership base.
“I believe that my skills and experience across various roles put me in the best position to support the Club with achieving their vision whilst also representing our Members and ensuring that their voice is heard throughout the process.”
Lancashire Cricket can also announce that Vic Stewart has been named as the new Honorary Treasurer at the Club, after Les Platts stepped down from the role after ten years of dedication and service to the Red Rose. Vic – who grew up watching Lancashire when she lived 10 minutes from Emirates Old Trafford - is an experienced finance professional with a demonstrated track record in business growth, whilst balancing stakeholder needs and has experience of running large, complex hospitality businesses.
Currently in the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Alchemist Bar and Restaurant Group, having started with the organisation in April 2017, she has overseen significant revenue and commercial growth in recent years. Vic’s responsibilities include all aspects of financial performance, budgeting, and cash flow management, securing new funding for expansion as well as monitoring KPIs and risk identification regarding business strategy.
After being named as the Club’s new Honorary Treasurer, Vic Stewart commented: “I would like to thank Lancashire Cricket and its Members for the opportunity to become the Club’s new Treasurer and I am extremely honoured to take on the role at such an iconic and historic cricket club.
“Les has done an outstanding job as Treasurer and I am looking forward to continuing his great work, whilst also bringing my own skills and experiences to the role.”
The Club can also confirm that Andrew Flintoff chose to not seek re-election to the Board and has now stepped down from his role. After making over 200 appearances as a player for the Red Rose between 1995 and 2009, Flintoff has served on the Board since 2017. Lancashire Cricket would like to thank Andrew for his contributions during his time as a Board Member. The Club will be extending an invitation for Andrew to continue to play a role within the Club’s Cricket Development Committee in the future – which oversees professional men’s and women’s cricket at Emirates Old Trafford.
Speaking about the appointments, Andy Anson, Chair of Lancashire Cricket, added: “I would like to thank all of our Members who engaged with last week’s Annual General Meeting at Emirates Old Trafford – whether by attending in person, voting in advance of the meeting or watching online.
“Following the meeting, we are delighted to be able to welcome both Chris Peacock and Vic Stewart onto the Club’s Board. I would like to place on record our thanks to Chris and Vic for their commitment to the recruitment process and we now look forward to working with them both as we look to take the next steps here at Lancashire Cricket.
“I would also like to thank Les Platts and Andrew Flintoff for their service whilst on the Board at Lancashire Cricket. Les did an outstanding job, over many years, as Treasurer and Acting Chair to help guide the Club through some particularly difficult times – none more so than during the COVID pandemic. Andrew has served the Club fantastically for a number of decades, firstly as a player before moving onto the Board in 2017.”
Finally, the Club is pleased to announce that following last week’s AGM, three new Vice Presidents have been elected – Les Platts, David Hughes and Bob Dearden.
As mentioned above, Les Platts joined the Board in 2013 and has been a great servant to the Club.
David Hughes was a stalwart of the Lancashire side for over two decades between 1967 and 1991, and his 11 one-day trophies with Lancashire is only matched by Neil Fairbrother. The Newton-le-Willows born all-rounder scored 10,126 runs, took 637 wickets and 325 catches. He captained the side from 1987 to 1991. David was named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1988 and led the team to the first-ever Lord’s Cup ‘double’ in 1990. David played in a total of 10 cup finals, winning eight, plus a further three Sunday League titles. After retiring he took over the reigns as Manager until 1993.
Bob Dearden has been a Lancashire Cricket Member since the 1970s and played in the former Central Lancashire League (CLL) from 1959 to 2003. After his playing days ended, Bob coached and managed the CLL Under 18s, and was manager of the Lancashire Under 17s and the Lancashire Colts in the Northern League. Bob has also served as Chair of the CLL, a Member of the Lancashire Coaches Association Committee and a Member of the Umpires Association. Bob still umpires today and is a Tutor and Coach at the Myerscough College Academy based at Emirates Old Trafford.