Sir Stephen O'Brien to remain Essex chair

Azeem Akhtar resigned last month following an investigation into historic social media conduct which cleared him of anti-Semitism or racism

Stephen O'Brien will remain Essex's interim chair with the club in no rush to appoint a successor to Azeem Akhtar.

A new figure can be voted on by the board at any time, including before the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for later in the year and does not require member approval.

O'Brien has been in charge since December and will continue to serve through a challenging period for the club.

A vote by the existing members of the board will determine Azeem's long-term successor after he stood down last month following an investigation into historic social media conduct, which cleared him of wrongdoing.

O'Brien and Queenie Porter were added to the board by the Nomination Committee in November, while Simon Cooper, Chris Townsend, Anu Mohindru KC, Jo Faragher and Victoria Keil were elected following a ballot of club members.

Another troubled year looms for Essex (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

It is expected that the new permanent chair, Essex's third since November 2021, will be an internal appointment. It is not certain, however, if the position left by Azeem will be filled.

A year passed before the Chelmsford club replaced John Faragher following his resignation after "a historic allegation of racist language used by him at a board meeting in 2017".

Chief executive John Stephenson served in the interim before the arrival of Azeem. But he stepped aside days after being appointed amid an investigation into alleged anti-Semitic social media activity.

Though an inquiry led by law firm Squire Patton Boggs found "no evidence of anti-Semitism or racism" he chose to step aside in February after less than four months in the role. The outcome drew criticism from Campaign Against Antisemitism, who accused Essex of failing the Jewish community and missing an opportunity "to tell people that Jews matter in the world of cricket".

The Katharine Newton KC report into historic allegations of racism at Essex is no closer to being published as the Maxwellisation process, allowing those named to respond prior to publication, continues.

Related Topics

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• Azeem Akhtar resigns as Essex chair despite being cleared by investigation into anti-Semitism