Peter Thompson appointed Chief Executive of the Irish Cricket Union

One of English cricket's leading marketing executives is to become the first chief executive of the Irish Cricket Union.

Thirty two year-old Peter Thompson will take up the post in May after almost four years as head of marketing of Warwickshire County Cricket Club at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Mr. Thompson has been responsible for all commercial income at Warwickshire and it will be one of his priorities within the ICU.

He said to-day : "I have been impressed by the forward-looking attitude of the Irish Cricket Union and as the first chief executive in its history, I will be very conscious of the many challenges which lie ahead.

"The future well being of the game in Ireland of course depends on what happens on the field at all levels of representative cricket and I hope my experience, not least in the commercial sector, will add a beneficial dimension.

"I am well aware of the success of the international sides at youth level and, of course, the major challenge for the men's senior side is to qualify for the next World Cup in the West Indies in 2007. The fact that the ICC qualifying competition is to be staged in Ireland in two years' time is a tremendous bonus and I look forward to working with the ICU Executive and the national coach, Adrian Birrell, to ensure its success."

Mr. Thompson has spent most of his career at Warwickshire since taking an honours degree in leisure - including business management and IT - just over 10 years ago.

He has specalised in administration and marketing and since his appointment as head of marketing in 1999 his responsibilities have included sponsorship, advertising rights at the Edgbaston Test ground, membership and a range of other commercial activities.

Mr. Thompson has also been responsible for the operational management of international cricket at Edgbaston and was Warwickshire's coordinator for the 1999 World Cup in England. He's also represented the club on the England and Wales Cricket Board as well as Birmingham City Council's Events Advisory Committee.

The appointment of a professional chief executive was part of a ICU development strategy led by the outgoing chairman of the Union, John Caldwell.

Caldwell said to-day : "I'm delighted at Peter Thompson's appointment, bringing as it does a professional business acumen to the Union's activities. In to-day's sporting world, success on the field needs a strong commercial and administrative backbone and I have no doubt Peter will provide that."

The chairman of the ICU, Derek Brennan, described the appointment of a chief executive as "an historic step forward" for the Union.

He added : "The ICU was recently nominated as the best administered body within the European Cricket Council and Peter's appointment can only add to that reputation. I look forward to working closely with him for the betterment of cricket throughout Ireland."