Des Wilson appointed to ECB management board

Des Wilson, former senior vice-chairman of Sport England and one of the UK's most experienced communications and public affairs advisors, has been elected unopposed by the First Class Forum to membership of the ECB's Management Board.

Wilson will also serve as chairman of the Marketing Advisory Committee, where he will play a key role in overseeing the ECB's marketing and external affairs activities at a critical time.

"I'm honoured to have received the support of the First Class Counties," said Wilson. "This is an exciting time to be involved in English cricket, especially with the Twenty20 Cup proving such a success in attracting a new and younger audience for county cricket, and with a new generation of talented young players beginning to press for places in England's Test Match and One-Day International teams. I hope I can help the ECB and First Class Counties to work even more effectively together to market and promote the game."