Ian Watmore's successor identifies putting "divisions of the past behind", learning from the testimonies of Azeem Rafiq and others, and the high-performance review conclusions as his priorities
Richard Thompson has made leaving "divisions of the past behind" a priority after beginning his tenure as the new chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The successor to Ian Watmore has also identified rebuilding "trust among communities where it may have been lost" and strengthening relationships between the governing body and the game's stakeholders.
Thompson, who left Surrey to begin a five-year term, has also urged the sport to "listen and learn" from the testimonies of Azeem Rafiq and others in the recent past.
The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket - "I expect its findings later this year to be challenging" - and the Andrew Strauss-led men's high-performance review - "I have been impressed by its thoroughness" will report in the coming months in what will be seismic moments for cricket on and off the field.
"I am humbled that now I am in a position to be able to lead that change across the whole game while being under no illusion to the task in hand," he wrote in a blog on his first day in the post.
Andrew Strauss' high-performance review beckons (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
"As ECB Chair it will be my role to listen to different perspectives, to set clear direction and to build consensus around changes we need to make.
"I will also look to strengthen relationships between ECB and all its stakeholders and to establish a shared vision for how we will work together to grow the sport we all love.
"I am also personally committed to leading our work to rebuild trust among communities where it may have been lost, and no longer feel cricket has a home for them.
"The painful testimony of Azeem Rafiq and too many others within cricket must act as a motivator for all of us to listen and learn and to understand how we can be better."
A noted critic of The Hundred, which Surrey voted against prior to its introduction, Thompson wants an improved schedule that accommodates all existing formats and looks "after our players' welfare".
Among Thompson's first tasks will be to appoint a new chief executive. Tom Harrison stood down in June with Clare Connor having been in interim charge.
Finding Tom Harrison's replacement is among Thompson's first tasks (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Longer-term ambitions include re-engaging with communities who have seen English cricket dragged through a racism scandal involving two of its most famous institutions, Yorkshire and Essex.
While at the Kia Oval, Thompson oversaw the launch of the Ebony-Rainford-Brent inspired ACE Programme, an independent charity designed to engage Black communities in recreational cricket and talent pathways.
"Cricket has faced the reality of hard truths in recent times and, as we begin to acknowledge and address the issues in front of us, it is obvious we will only be successful if we are a united game," he added.
"I have worked in cricket for a long time and it is my conviction that we can be the most inclusive sport in the country - accessible to all regardless of race, gender, class or (dis)ability.
"I have seen first-hand the positive impact our game can have through inspiring initiatives such as the ACE Programme and the value of people working together to achieve great things."
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