Baroness Valerie Amos joins ECB board as independent non-executive director

A former leader of the House of Lords is described as a "lifelong cricket fan" with a wealth of experience in public service

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Former leader of the House of Lords Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed to the ECB board as independent non-executive director.

The 67-year-old has occupied a number of high-profile positions, including at the United Nations as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

An ex-Cabinet Minister and High Commissioner to Australia, she became the first black women to lead a university in the United Kingdom when appointed director of SOAS, University of London.

In September 2020, Amos became Master of University College, Oxford.

Born in Guyana, Amos is described as a "passionate and lifelong cricket fan" committed to addressing issues of equality and social injustice.

"Cricket has been part of my life since I was a child," she said. "It’s something we always enjoyed and shared as a family, so I am really looking forward to being able to contribute to the sport by joining the board.

"This is a crucial time for sport around the world given the impacts of the pandemic, and I believe cricket has a vital role to play because of its ability to bring people together. 

"It’s fun but it’s also about teamwork and a sense of community. By realising the vision of making cricket a game for everyone we can ensure that more people enjoy the benefits of it."

Amos replaces Delia Bushell, whose tenure on the board reaches its conclusion at the end of May.

The ECB annual general meeting on Tuesday (May 11) will ratify the appointment after the board approved the recommendation of the board nominations committee.

Meanwhile, non-executive directors Alan Dickinson and Barry O’Brien, and senior independent Non-executive director Brenda Trenowden, have been reappointed on three-year terms. Non-executive director Jim Wood will also serve for another two years.

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