Lord Kamlesh Patel has introduced he’ll step down as Yorkshire chair on the membership’s subsequent Annual Normal Assembly in March.
Lord Patel, who took over from Roger Hutton in November 2021 on the peak of the membership’s racism disaster, endured a turbulent tenure that started amid the suspension of Headingley’s worldwide internet hosting rights and the withdrawal of a raft of sponsors that left the membership going through chapter.
His response to that disaster included sanctioning the sacking of Yorkshire’s total backroom employees within the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism – a transfer that continues to be contested by the affected events.
Nevertheless, regardless of enduring important opposition from throughout the membership membership – notably from a bunch led by the previous chair, Robin Smith – Patel instigated a collection of reforms throughout his tenure that targeted on equality, range and inclusion, reminiscent of improved processes for whistleblowers to report discrimination.
By lowering value boundaries inside Yorkshire’s Pathway programme – together with free package and training for boy’s and lady’s regional cricket – the membership has additionally seen an upturn in participation and variety on his watch.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to work for such a prestigious organisation,” Patel mentioned in an announcement issued by Yorkshire. “I’ve made the tough resolution to step apart on the subsequent AGM and allow the membership to proceed on its vital journey of change underneath a brand new chair.
“I wish to thank these members who’ve been massively supportive of the adjustments that the board have launched at Headingley. I might additionally wish to thank the employees and board members who’ve all labored tirelessly throughout what has been a transformational interval in Yorkshire’s historical past.
“There’s nonetheless a lot for the membership to do, however I’ve the strongest religion that Yorkshire will likely be again on the pinnacle of English cricket for the long-term.”
Additional measures undertaken throughout Patel’s tenure embody the supply of a extra inclusive environment for matchdays at Headingley, Scarborough and York, with extra family-friendly alcohol-free areas and sensory rooms.
Nevertheless, talking on the newest DCMS parliamentary listening to in Westminster final month, Patel hit out on the lack of assist that he had obtained from the earlier ECB regime throughout his tenure, and indicated that the criticism and abuse he had obtained in the middle of his time on the membership was a contributory think about his resolution to face down.
“If I used to be a person who wasn’t a member of the Home of Lords and hadn’t had any type of management expertise, you’ll stroll away,” he instructed MPs.
“I do not understand how Azeem will get the power to hold on. You’ll simply run. Within the public eye, we get flak [but] that is relentless. And that is from an space the place you do not anticipate it – that is sport, for God’s sake.
“People who’ve simply been [making] a concerted assault, I don’t suppose folks perceive, I do not suppose the ECB has obtained it.”
Following the announcement of Lord Patel’s departures, Stephen Vaughan, Yorkshire’s chief govt, mentioned: “Kamlesh must be extraordinarily pleased with what he has achieved at Headingley throughout his tenure as chair.
“The buildings which were put in place are very important in making certain that Yorkshire is a membership that individuals are proud to be related to.
“Equality, Range and Inclusivity are on the coronary heart of our membership and I’m excited to work with the board, govt staff and new chair to proceed on this journey of significant change.”
