Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce Azeem Akhtar as the new Chair.
Azeem was one of eight candidates elected onto the Club’s Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting and the Chair’s appointment was ratified on Thursday by the Board to signal the beginning of a new era for the Club.
Azeem has vast knowledge of sport in the county through his previous role as Chair of Active Essex for six years, as well as serving three years on the Board at Sport England.
He is currently Lead Customer Chief Technology Officer at BT Global, where he engages with multi-national clients at C-Level, articulating BT’s vision for digital transformation to deliver the client’s desired business outcomes.
Past roles include senior commercial, finance, business development and technology leadership positions. Azeem was named in the UK’s Top 100 Most Influential BAME Business Leaders in 2016 and was nominated for CTO of the Year Award 2018 by Information Age.
Azeem succeeds Chief Executive, John Stephenson, who was Chair on an interim basis and he is looking forward to working closely with all stakeholders of the Club.
Azeem Akhtar said: “I am extremely proud to be elected as the Chair of Essex County Cricket Club. From someone who is born and raised in Essex and a lifelong supporter of the Club, I understand the importance of this great Club to Members, supporters, commercial partners and the wider community.
“I’m looking forward to working with the newly formed Board and taking positive steps for the future of the Club.
“Our ultimate aim is to make Essex the premier red and white ball cricketing county in England, whilst continuing to enhance and grow the game through our fantastic work in the community.”
John Stephenson added: “Azeem was the standout candidate from a very strong field of potential candidates for the position of Chair.”
“Aside from his strong all round skills set, since childhood he has been a regular visitor to The Cloud County Ground being a lifelong Essex fan. He will bring vast experience and his passion for Essex Cricket and I’m looking forward to working with him and the newly formed Board.”
