Paul Russell to suceed Gerard Elias as Glamorgan Chairman

The following statement was issued by the Chairman of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Gerard Elias, Q.C., at 12pm on Thursday 22nd May 2003.

Statement to Members:

"In the mid 1990s, Glamorgan Cricket took the steps necessary to ensure its future by taking control of Sophia Gardens and beginning the process of development which has enabled us, for the first time, to have a real home of our own, as well as permitting International Cricket to be staged in this Capital City.

This transformation has turned a Cricket Club into a business, and although cricket remains our prime concern, the business requires as much time as the Chairman, Officers and Committee can give so as to ensure that the Club thrives.

The Club is at an exciting stage in its growth and we wish to build the business to match the best decade of cricket performance in our history. Further development of Sophia Gardens; a partnership with the City & County of Cardiff to confirm our position as a regular venue for One-Day Internationals and, hopefully, Test Cricket also; the possibility of Incorporation of the business as well as the broadening of our commercial base are all firmly on the agenda and now require a determined effort to carry them through to fruition.

With all this in mind, for some time I have been concerned that I have been unable to devote as much time to Glamorgan affairs as I would wish or as Glamorgan needs. Work commitments, taking me away from Cardiff for the better part of every week, have gone on longer than anyone could have predicted and show no sign of abating - at least not for many more months.

This is far too long to leave in abeyance some of the actions which a Chairman should be initiating and leading, and I have concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club that I hand over the baton to someone who has the time, energy and business expertise to take these matters on.

In accordance with the Club's Constitution, which provides that the Executive Committee be empowered to fill any Officer vacancy that arises during the course of the year, it was clearly necessary to be looking at the appointment of a successor and ensuring as smooth a handover as possible.

It is in these circumstances that, having taken soundings within the Committee, I approached Paul Russell - a Welshman with a proven track record in business who now has the time and boundless energy, is a member and lifelong supporter of Glamorgan Cricket and is as passionate about the Club as I am - and I am delighted that, following the invitation made to him unanimously by your Executive Committee, he has agreed to lead the Club as your Chairman. He tells me that he regards it as an honour to have been invited and I have every confidence that he will take the Club, in cricket and business terms, from strength to strength.

My predecessors as Chairmen, David Morgan and the current Club President, Tony Lewis, both did the job for five years and I am now in my sixth - so I feel that I can say I have done my stint! For almost twenty years, as Committee man, Deputy Chairman and Chairman I have enjoyed seeking to promote Glamorgan's cause.

It has been great fun and I am hugely indebted to my fellow Officers, my friends and colleagues on the Committee over the years as well as to the players who have made it all so worthwhile. I could not leave office without a special "thank you" to our most splendid and devoted permanent staff, in the office and on the ground, so ably led by Chief Executive, Mike Fatkin. They epitomise the "family" that is Glamorgan.

Finally to our Members - thank you for your loyal support over the years and for allowing me the privilege of leading Glamorgan Cricket through such a wonderful period in its history. Of course, I am not going away and I shall be as delighted about our successes as ever - but maybe, when I can get to Sophia Gardens, I shall be able to watch a little more cricket!"

Gerard Elias QC 22nd May 2003

Incoming Chairman Paul Russell reacted by saying: "I regard the position of Chairman of Glamorgan Cricket as one of the most pre-eminent in Welsh sport and consider it an enormous privilege to have been asked to succeed Gerard. I recognize the challenges being faced within the county game and look forward to working with the committee, the staff, the players, the members and other stakeholders in tackling those challenges and taking the Club forward.

Glamorgan is a vibrant county with substantial support, throughout Wales and beyond, a dedicated staff and a very talented squad of players, and the organization has come a very long way in a short space of time. I look forward to building on the hard work that Gerard has put in and will be channelling all of my energies and efforts into improving every aspect of the business.

Gerard Elias has done a huge amount for Glamorgan Cricket. During his term as Chairman the team won two promotions, reached a major Lord's Final and picked up the Club's second one-day trophy last year. It is also significant that under his chairmanship Cardiff has now begun to stage major international cricket and the Club now has a detailed strategic plan setting out the challenges we face and how we intend to deal with them.

Everyone associated with Glamorgan will be extremely grateful to Gerard for his committed leadership and unstinting hard work in all facets of the Club's business. He is a hard act to follow. The Club is fortunate to have so many dedicated people both on the field and behind the scenes and I look forward to working with them. Being invited to become Chairman is a tremendous honour and a role I shall relish."

Paul Russell CV:

Paul Russell was born in Ebbw Vale, where he lived for 18 years. A graduate of the University of London and subsequently the Thames Valley Regional Management Centre, he spent the majority of his commercial career with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture. A lifelong Glamorgan supporter and one of only five Life Vice Presidents of the Club, he supervised the regeneration of the county specifically with the introduction of the £15 membership scheme and in 1997/98 assisted the successful application by Glamorgan for Sportlot funding to bring about the major development of Sophia Gardens. Despite being an exile he remains a dedicated and committed Welshman. Along with his brother Marcus, he owns Ebbw Vale RFC and was instrumental in negotiating the set up of the new regional structure for Welsh rugby. A Lord's Taverner, member of MCC and former member of the ECB Marketing Committee, he is determined to oversee the progression of Glamorgan Cricket to the next stage of its success."

Paul Russell is due to take over officially on 28th May 2003.