The Board of Cricket Australia today announced that Kevin Roberts has been appointed its next Chief Executive Officer following a comprehensive international search process.
Mr Roberts’ appointment comes following another record year of participation numbers at community level, supported by attendance records and a record-breaking domestic broadcast media rights partnership.
Australian cricket also faces several challenges including the need for improved facilities and to provide more personalised experiences that connect with our fans. These challenges, along with a rapidly changing media landscape, competition from other forms of sport and entertainment and the need to unite and build trust with the entire Australian Cricket community, in arguably the most significant period of change in the history of international cricket.
CA Chairman David Peever said regarding Kevin’s appointment: “Our position within the Australian community and as a representative on the global stage is key to our success. Kevin is the best candidate for our organisation and has been given a clear mandate by the Board to deliver our strategy to ensure cricket maintains a strong and sustainable foothold in sport locally and globally.
“Given the complexity of the role and the increasing challenges facing our sport, the Board concluded that an internal candidate with first-hand experience driving strategic transformation and engagement at CA would be best placed to help ensure continued success for Australian cricket.
“Kevin’s vast corporate leadership experience within Australia and overseas, his leadership of the development and implementation of our strategy, his demonstrated ability to lead change through the One Team transformation, and his deep pedigree in cricket both on and off the field, outline why Kevin was identified as the best candidate from a very strong list.
“Kevin will continue to focus on the implementation of our multimillion dollar investment in community cricket, along with leading our commitment to create the best participation experiences to be the leading sport for women and girls.
“It is a great opportunity for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next exciting phase”, Peever concluded.
Mr Roberts joined the CA Board in 2012, and in 2015 relinquished his position to assume an executive role at CA with responsibilities for strategy, people & culture, technology, female engagement and member services, in addition to the One Team transformation program. In May this year, Kevin was promoted to the new role of Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining CA, Mr Roberts was CEO of 2XU, an Australian-based multinational sports apparel company as well spending several years with the adidas Group, initially as Managing Director in Australia and ultimately as a Global Senior Vice President based in Germany. Either side of his tenure at adidas, Mr Roberts led business transformations at Colorado Group/Fusion Retail Brands and Canterbury International.
Kevin has also previously held non-Executive Director roles at Netball Australia and the Australian Sporting Goods Association. He is a former professional cricketer who represented Australia at youth level, played 23 first-class matches for New South Wales and worked as a development officer and a coach. Kevin is a father to five daughters who all play cricket.
Mr Roberts said: “It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead and serve the cricket community as CEO of Cricket Australia. I thank the Board for this opportunity and look forward to commencing in the role”.
“One of the many things I love about cricket as our national sport is its ability to bring people together and inspire us, regardless of our age, gender or cultural background. Our success is made possible by the hard work of Cricket Australia employees, players, coaches and State & Territory Cricket Associations, along with the contribution of volunteers who are the lifeblood of our game in the community. I am inspired by the many people who give so much to cricket in paid and unpaid roles and I am passionate about helping them achieve ongoing success.
“It’s also true that the game and Cricket Australia have faced some difficult times recently, but we will bounce back, just as our organisation has overcome challenges on and off the field many times in its proud history. Under my leadership, we will be deeply committed to providing the best experiences of cricket to everyone who watches the game or plays the game, and we will work closely with our broadcasters and commercial partners to deliver on that commitment,” Roberts concluded.
Mr Peever added: “As James concludes his extraordinary tenure as CEO, he leaves a strong foundation to meet the future demands of our game. Thanks to James’ leadership and the collective effort from hundreds of people across Australian Cricket, the path has been set to deliver on the bold aspirations to grow cricket as Australia’s favourite sport and a sport for all Australians.”
Mr Sutherland said: “I am confident Kevin is ready to lead Australian cricket through the sport’s next stage of growth. He has been a key member of our Executive Team over recent years and provided terrific support to me in my role. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him the very best.”
Kevin Roberts’ appointment is effective from the Cricket Australia Annual General Meeting, when James Sutherland will step down.
