MCC appoints Australian chief executive
Marylebone Cricket Club has appointed a 42-year former Australian first-class cricketer as its new secretary and chief executive
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Bradshaw, who played for Tasmania for three years between 1985 and 1988, and captained the state team when David Boon was away on international duty, has since forged a successful business career, including spells with both PriceWaterhouse and Deloitte, where he is a Partner.
"We are delighted to have found Keith for this appointment," said MCC chairman, Charles Fry. "He has all the attributes we were seeking. As well as having played first-class cricket in a highly competitive environment, Keith has a high level of commercial and management experience, which is essential for an organisation with a turnover of more than £23 million a year. Equally importantly, we believe that Keith has the right skills and personality for the task of leading one of the country's largest members' clubs."
A commitee member put things more simply when he said: "We needed someone who will not only be financially savvy but completely at home when talking cricket with ex-Test players."
Bradshaw himself was equally thrilled at his appointment. "I am delighted and extremely honoured to have been selected," he said. "I have long regarded MCC as the finest, most active and most respected cricket club in the world. I am determined to play my part in maintaining its values, upholding its traditions and continuing to improve Lord's - which is not only MCC's home, but the spiritual home of world cricket."
The appointment of an overseas chief executive reflects MCC's growing desire to cast off its traditional image. "MCC is a truly international organisation," added Bradshaw, "which works for the good of the game right across the globe. It is fantastic, for example, that one of its teams is currently touring Argentina - playing some of the 500 or so fixtures that MCC arranges each year.
"Lord's hold a very special place in every cricketer's heart and I know from my own experience that every young Australian who ever put on a pad aspires, as I did, to one day walk through the Long Room on to the 'hallowed turf'. This is true the world over. While I never fulfilled that dream as a player, I will be incredibly fortunate to start playing a part in keeping Lord's truly special for players and spectators alike."
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