Downey backs re-election of current Board
Board Member Rachel Downey has given her resounding support to Andy Anson, John Abrahams and James Sheridan ahead of their re-election at next week’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
This year’s AGM – which is taking place in The Point at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday 30 May (4:15pm start) – gives Members the opportunity to vote on a number of resolutions.
Members are encouraged to cast their vote digitally – which is available for the first time – or alternatively attend the AGM in person next week. Click here to cast your votes.
Rachel Downey, Board Member at Lancashire Cricket, said: “Since being elected to the Lancashire Cricket Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director in 2020, I have witnessed first-hand the hard work, commitment and passion for the Red Rose which Andy, James and John all share.
“They all bring an incredible amount of experience to the Club and their varied and specialist skillsets have allowed us to progress the Club across many different areas throughout their tenures so far. This is important given the increasingly complex nature of domestic cricket and running a world class stadium, with multiple revenue streams.
“I’d encourage Members to re-elect Andy, James and John so that they can continue their excellent work on the Board and help to guide Lancashire Cricket through the years ahead.
“I would also reiterate that the whole Board are unpaid volunteers and each one of us have personal liability, as part of our fiduciary duties of being a Director of Lancashire Cricket. Any decision that we take must be in the best interests, and promote the success of the Club, by law.
“I look forward to meeting many Members at the Q&A on Saturday lunchtime, where I’ll be supporting Andy, and again next week at the AGM.”
Andy Anson OBE - originally from Rochdale and first watched Lancashire as a Junior Member with his Mum and Dad in the 1970s - was appointed as Chair of the Club in November 2020, after being co-opted on to the Board. Since then, Andy has overseen the development of the new stand and hotel that opened on time - and on budget - last year, the initiation of our exciting second home project in Farington which is due to open in 2025, for which he is a passionate advocate, and the restructuring of the cricket department.
Andy is hugely passionate about the Club and wants to ensure Lancashire is the best cricket club in the world, both on and off the field. He also sits on the Nominations and Remuneration committees.
Andy has had a successful career in the media and sports industries and is currently Chief Executive at the British Olympic Association (BOA), where he will lead Team GB into the Paris Olympics, following his successful leadership in Tokyo 2020. Prior to the BOA, Andy has previously been the Commercial Director for Manchester United, and the Chief Executive of the ATP World Tour in Europe, where he was also Chairman at the ATP World Tour Finals. He then led the England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid as Chief Executive Officer and was CEO of Kitbag Ltd, where he oversaw a significant turnaround and the subsequent sale to US market leader Fanatics, where he ran their international business.
James Sheridan was the founding Chair of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation (2007-2017) and he worked until 2019 as a corporate finance lawyer and more recently, since selling his business to stock exchange-listed Knights Group, as Knights’ Mergers and Acquisitions Director.
He has been a Member of the Club since 1990 and joined the Board in 2018. Having completed the development of Emirates Old Trafford, James believes that the Club’s near-term strategic priorities are exclusively cricket-related: the delivery of the Farington second ground project; investing in our cricket assets and resources; producing winning Lancashire teams in every format.
James is passionate about the current opportunities to grow cricket across its numerous formats (both men’s and women’s): red ball, white ball, First-Class and T20. He views women’s cricket as the single biggest growth opportunity in cricket today and is passionate in his view that Lancashire must lead the way in the growth of elite men’s and women’s cricket in the UK. He currently serves on the Club’s Audit & Risk, Development, Cricket Development and Remuneration Committees, and is also on the Board of Manchester Originals.
James spent his teens playing club cricket for his village Woore in Shropshire. In his late teens he moved on to play proper league cricket for Newcastle & Hartshill in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League. More recently, when James’ kids first started playing senior cricket, he played in the same team as them for Bowdon CC’s Third XI. James’ first game at Emirates Old Trafford was in 1978 – when his Dad took him to see Lancashire face the touring New Zealanders and he then became hooked on the red rose. His favourite red rose moment is the County Championship win in 2011 – and watching live as Glen Chapple bowled Lancashire to victory over Essex at Lord’s in the Natwest Trophy Final of 1996.
John Abrahams – who was elected on to the Board in 2021 - played for the Club for 17 years between 1973 to 1988. He was awarded his Lancashire cap in 1982, and captained Lancashire in 1984 and 1985. He won the man of the match award in the Benson and Hedges Cup final at Lord's in 1984.
John has worked for the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a number of roles, including as coaching and managing the England Under 15s, 17s and 19s as well as on the National Academy, the level below the England team now known as the Lions Programme. He has also been a scout and selector, as well as a mentor to coaching on ECB training courses.
Remaining on the Board would continue to provide an opportunity for John to give back to the Club following his experiences whilst playing and coaching.
The AGM (4:15pm start) will form part of the Club’s T20 double header, as Lancashire Thunder take on Central Sparks (1pm start) in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, before Lancashire Lightning play Durham (7pm start) in the Vitality Blast.
Those attending the AGM will also be able to enjoy the exclusive facilities on offer in The Point during both matches - with a complimentary buffet, as well as a free drink token provided. Following on from the AGM, and only accessible for AGM attendees, there will also be a high-quality cricket panel hosted by Warren Hegg, with guests David Lloyd and Phoebe Graham previewing the Vitality Blast and Men’s T20 World Cup.
This year’s AGM is important, and we urge Members to support the Club and exercise your vote, as we work together to achieve our goals and vision for Lancashire Cricket, both on and off the field. If you’re unable to attend on the day, Members are able to vote digitally. Click here to cast your votes on a number of important issues.