Yorkshire have announced Mark Arthur as their new chief executive.
The 54-year-old arrives at Headingley after holding similar positions at Nottinghamshire CCC and Nottingham Forest Football Club, where he worked for 13 years before being sacked by the club’s new Kuwaiti owners in January of this year.
Arthur is the White Rose’s replacement for Stewart Regan, who left the county midway through 2010 to join the Scottish Football Association.
Colin Graves has since filled the void by taking on the role of executive chairman. The England and Wales Cricket Board’s new deputy chairman will revert to his original title of Yorkshire chairman having changed his title midway through last year.
“I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire as chief executive,” said Arthur.
He will begin his post on Tuesday, the first day of the LV= County Championship home match against Somerset.
“It is an honour and a massive opportunity to be part of the biggest cricket club in the world, which boasts nearly 900 playing clubs and a vibrant development programme, which is the envy of world cricket.
“I will do everything during my time at Headingley for the betterment of Yorkshire cricket. The hard work has been undertaken over the last few years to stabilise the club, and now we have a great opportunity and a solid platform to take the club forward.”
Arthur started a career in sports administration at the Test and County Cricket Board, now the England and Wales Cricket Board, in the mid-1990s before moving to Trent Bridge.
He left Forest alongside head of recruitment Keith Burt and ambassador and former manager Frank Clark earlier this year. Reports suggest his departure was a popular one among their supporters.
“It is fantastic news for the club to appoint Mark as the new chief executive,” said Graves.
“Mark has over 20 years’ experience at the highest level of sports administration, both in cricket and football. His experience and knowledge will be vital in taking the club forward in what will be an exciting period, both on and off the field.”
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