Banozic departs Cricket Australia

Kate Banozic has left her post as the Cricket Australia chief financial officer after more than 14 years, a departure that leaves the chief executive James Sutherland as by far the longest serving member of the governing body.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Banozic is departing for a corporate role with Endota Spa, having been part of CA since 2000. She previously worked for Ford and then the Geelong Football Club. Banozic and Sutherland, who became CEO in 2001 after joining CA in 1998, had worked closely together over that time.

However there is a growing mood for change at CA, following a raft of governance and financial changes that have invested steadily more responsibility in the hands of the management team based at the game's Australian headquarters in Jolimont, near the MCG.

Numerous departures and appointments have followed the unprecedented move of Kevin Roberts from the position of independent board director to that of executive general manager, people and strategy. Other moves are expected to follow at senior executive level, with Banozic far from the only long-term role player who may find themselves heading elsewhere.

"The initial goal I set myself when I joined the organisation, was to be here for three years," Banozic told The Delivery earlier this year. "I think the reason I'm still here is because there has been so much progress and change during that time. Of course, like any job, there have been many sliding-door moments. However, I honestly believe that the game is making a real difference and what it brings to people's lives, is bigger than cricket itself."

Sutherland paid tribute to Banozic, who among other things had delivered CA's financial reports at the board AGM for most of the past 16 years.

"Kate has been with Cricket Australia for more than 16 years and has made an enormous contribution not only to the organisation but also through her strong working relationships with member cricket associations and key stakeholders across Australian cricket," Sutherland told ESPNcricinfo. "We sincerely thank her for her work with us.

"Kate has been presented with an outstanding career opportunity, providing her with greater responsibility and significant career progression and we wish her every success in this next stage of her working career."

Other changes since Roberts arrived have included the appointment of Graham Manou as national pathways manager, and the arrival of David Saker as Darren Lehmann's new assistant coach with the national team.

Sutherland moved from a fixed term contract to a salaried employment position in 2015, meaning both he and CA will be able to end their association more easily when the time comes. Roberts has been widely touted as a future CEO, as no previous board director has ever left their post to join the management team.