One position of member-elected Director is up for election at this year's AGM. Please find below the details of all candidates standing to help inform your vote.
Occupation: Sports Administrator
Proposer: Mike O’Farrell
Seconder: Clive Radley
Related Club or Organisation Memberships: I am a member of Brondesbury CC and Radlett CC. I run Middlesex over 50’s/60’s/70’s, senior teams in Middlesex.
Brief statement of the service to the Club and / or Cricket in Middlesex
I have supported Middlesex for over 50 years and served on the Main Board for nine years previously. I was also Chairman of MCB during that period. I have been Chairman of Middlesex County Cricket League since 1998.
Personal statement
My connection with Middlesex goes back over 50 years when I was first taken by my father to Middlesex games at Lords. I have been heavily involved in Club cricket since the early eighties and have been Chairman of the Middlesex County Cricket League since 1998 until the present day.
I served on the Middlesex County Board for a nine year term until 2018 and was also Chairman of the Middlesex Cricket Board during that time. Since my term on the Board came to an end I have continued to help Middlesex Cricket in various ways and I am currently on Radlett’s Board helping with our connection to one of our out grounds.
A lot has gone on at Middlesex over the post Covid years and I do feel that cricket has unfortunately sometimes taken a back seat in that period. A successful cricket side is paramount to keeping members and getting sponsors on board. Whilst I appreciate there are many other aspects the Board has to consider these days we must do all we can to get our cricket team back to where they should be and certainly in the top division.
I also run Middlesex Seniors cricket ( over 50/60/70’s ) in Middlesex and I am treasurer of the Wilf Slack Trust which helps provide funds for young boys and girls throughout the County and beyond.
I am an MCC member and umpire League cricket every Saturday and a lot of Sundays so seeing the up and coming talent in the County.
If elected I hope to make a major contribution to Middlesex cricket as a whole.
Proposer statement
Proposer Name and Membership number: Mike O’Farrell 16977
" Bob has a very comprehensive knowledge of the game .He has played at a high level and has thus been able to understand and appreciate what is required to succeed and sustain a commitment to this very challenging sport .
He has been part of the management of MCCC at several different levels and this enabled him to relate to both members and players and appreciate their various requirements
In my time as chair I found him particularly supportive when MCCC needed to engage in discussions with the clubs within the Middlesex League ,sometimes in slightly challenging circumstances and his informal attitude made the conversations much easier.
His knowledge of the wider game in Middlesex has been particularly useful as the county had to consider its future in relation to the recreational game and what its needs are .
He has an involvement also in age related cricket for Middlesex and of course as part of MCC he has been involved in overseas tours ,both organisationally and as a player. In addition he has considerable knowledge of players and members in the other counties.
He is also an umpire which means that he is someone still heavily involved in the game on a very regular basis ,
I have listed above some of the activities and therefore experiences which I believe would benefit the Board and therefore the wider game in Middlesex at a time when the game is being widely challenged both on and off the field .
Bob's experience in cricket and his business knowledge plus his willingness to work with the wider cricket community in sharing and supporting difficult decisions are all attributes which I believe will benefit the Club.
It is for the above reasons I propose him "
Occupation: retired
Proposer: Mr M Wright 22029
Seconder: Mr J Lawrence 03968
Related Club or Organisation Memberships: n/a
Brief statement of your service to the Club and / or Cricket in Middlesex
I have been a supporter of the club for 5 decades and a full member for over 10 years, most recently 2 x 5 year membership terms. I attend Mens 1st XI and 2nd XI matches in all competitions home and away including at all of the MCCC outgrounds current and previous. In the past 2 years I have attended Middlesex Women’s 1st XI T20 matches.
Personal statement
During a 20 career starting in banking and then as a qualified corporate treasurer, I held senior executive positions in FTSE 100 and DAX 30 companies in the UK and Germany. Following my corporate career I worked at my professional body the Chartered Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in various roles including that of Head of Publishing and Engagement Director. I am a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the ACT and I am currently a member of the ACT’s Council (its non-executive supervisory body). Between 2013 and 2025 I held a variety of non-executive posts in the regulated housing sector at Thrive Homes and Red Kite Housing based in Watford and High Wycombe respectively including for 3 years as the Independent Director at Thrive Homes Finance plc. In 2013 I completed the Housing Diversity Network Board Mentoring Programme. On a local basis I am Chairman of the Amersham and District Residents Association and a Trustee of the Amersham and District Community Association, a registered charity..
I believe this varied professional, non-executive and local community experience has equipped me with the necessary strategic corporate expertise, a wide range of financial competencies and an excellent appreciation of commercial strategy. In addition I continue a role as a practiced public speaker, moderator and communicator at business events.
We have watched a 15 year period in which, bar 2016, the Men’s 1St XI has underperformed in all of its competitions. In addition numerous Board, Executive and governance failures have been seen which has compounded the crisis state in which Middlesex finds itself. The recent success of the Women’s 1st XI has been hamstrung by ECB restrictions as a result. I hold an open position on future investment and de-mutualisation but am uncomfortable that the club and Board have not been sufficiently transparent on this issue
These frustrations and disappointment have not been matched at Board level in my view and it is my intention to represent the voice of the ordinary supporter to challenge the Board and executive to find and improve our sporting performance and corporate governance.
Proposer statement
Proposer Name and Membership number: Mr Martin Wright 22029
I have known Peter from some time and he shares my keen interest in sport particularly in the fortunes of Middlesex CCC especially its Men’s 1st XI. Over the past 15 years we have all witnessed a sad decline (bar 2016) in Men’s team performance and results across all competitions. In addition there have been numerous examples of poor governance and leadership from the current and previous Board and the current and previous executive staff. These have impacted on the Women’s 1st XI as well due to restricted ECB funding.
I hope and expect Peter to be able to voice these concerns and to represent ordinary supporters like me who are frustrated and angry with our sporting and governance failures. My understanding of Peter’s professional and non-executive career gives me confidence that he would be an excellent candidate for this position.
Occupation: Local Authority Town Planner
Proposer: Alf Langley
Seconder: Keely Juster
Related Club or Organisation Memberships:
Brief statement of the service to the Club and / or Cricket in Middlesex
I sit on Middlesex Board, where I chair Women’s committee and Membership Committee. As a player I captained Middlesex Women. I still play club cricket (women's and men's), score, coach juniors, and am involved in club administration. I regularly support both the Middlesex men's and women's teams in all formats
Personal statement
Middlesex CCC is at a crossroads right now, and the next steps are crucial. Our reputation as an organisation has taken a hammering, and we need to demonstrate that we will act with integrity to refocus and rebuild our cricket club. Our relationships with ECB and MCC need to be built on trust. Do nothing is not an option.
Being on the Board, I have been part of the conversations that have occurred over the past years, affecting personnel and finance. I believe that the leadership of the club needs to develop a long term strategy, get staff and membership buy in to this and then work together to implement it. I have the attributes of honesty, independent thought, discretion and hard work that are needed, with a deep understanding of good governance, having spent my professional life working in London local authorities
We must regain our pride as Middlesex, create a winning men's team once more, and support the women in their bid to become the first professional Middlesex women's team.
As a members club, Middlesex must be diverse and inclusive, and drive this in our culture. We need to provide value for money for members, as members are the foundation of the club. From listening to women, I set up the Mesdames des Middlesex, a group for women members to meet and watch cricket together. Using my knowledge of cricket around the county, and through talking with members, I would like to develop similar initiatives to enhance member experience for all. I see the value that camaraderie in cricket brings, for both physical and mental health.
My knowledge and experience as a town planner are valuable to the Board in the search for a second ground, developing the new ground at Swyncombe Avenue, and recreational club facility issues.
Proposer statement
Proposer Name and Membership number: Alf Langley 21933
I am delighted to propose Marilyn Smith for the position of Board Director at Middlesex County Cricket Club. I have known Marilyn personally for over twenty years, and during that time I have consistently seen her demonstrate the integrity, commitment and leadership that this role demands.
In my capacity as President of Shepherds Bush Cricket Club over the past three years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Marilyn and witnessing first-hand the transformative impact she has had on our organisation. As captain of our recently formed Women and Girls section, she has not only built a thriving and inclusive playing environment from the ground up but has also inspired a new generation of players through her passion, empathy and clarity of purpose.
Her influence extends far beyond the field. In her role as the Club’s Cricket Manager, Marilyn has brought an energy and professionalism that has elevated every aspect of our cricketing operations. Her unrivalled knowledge of the game at all levels in Middlesex, combined with her ability to engage volunteers, players and stakeholders alike, has strengthened the club’s culture and long term sustainability. She is strategic in her thinking, meticulous in her planning, and always willing to take responsibility when it matters.
Marilyn embodies the values that Middlesex seeks to champion: inclusivity, growth, community engagement and excellence. She has already proven her ability to deliver meaningful change at club and MCCC level, and I am confident she will continue to bring the same vision, diligence and integrity to the Middlesex Board.
I wholeheartedly commend her candidacy.