A Legacy of Transformation
The landscape of English women’s cricket is set for a significant transition as Clare Connor, the ECB’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of England Women, has announced her decision to step down. Her departure will take place following the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which is being hosted in England this year from June 12 to July 5.
From Captain to Administrator
Clare Connor’s journey is one of immense dedication, spanning over two decades of involvement at the highest levels. Before her long and distinguished career in administration, Connor was a formidable presence on the field. During her playing days, she earned 111 international caps, famously captaining the England Women’s side to their first Ashes victory in 42 years back in 2005. She retired from playing at the age of 29 in 2006, transitioning almost immediately into the administrative side of the sport.
When she joined the ECB in 2008, she was the sole employee tasked with the focus on women’s cricket. Over the following 18 years, she became the driving force behind the professionalization of the women’s game. From introducing the first central contracts for England players to establishing professional pathways for domestic athletes, Connor’s influence has been fundamental in changing the sport’s culture.
Paving the Way for Future Generations
Reflecting on her tenure, Connor expressed her deep pride in the progress made. Her vision was always to make cricket a sport where young girls could pick up a bat and dream of a professional career without barriers. Her work has been recognized globally; she was the first woman to sit on the ICC Cricket Committee and served as the first female President of the MCC in 2021-22. Her list of accolades includes the MBE, OBE, and CBE, all awarded for her services to women’s sport.
Addressing Challenges and Building Foundations
Connor’s role at the ECB has not been without its challenges. In recent years, she led the organization’s consultation process following the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which identified deep-seated issues of discrimination regarding race, class, and gender within the sport. Furthermore, she was instrumental in conducting a rigorous review of the England Women’s set-up after a difficult Ashes tour, a move that eventually led to the appointment of key leadership personnel including Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
A Fitting Finale
Richard Gould, the current ECB Chief Executive Officer, paid tribute to her lasting impact. “Clare has been one of the most influential figures in cricket,” Gould remarked. “Her leadership, vision, and determination have transformed the game in this country and laid foundations that will benefit generations to come.”
As England prepares to host the Women’s T20 World Cup this summer, the event serves as a poignant backdrop for Connor’s exit. England will be chasing their first global title since the 2017 ODI World Cup victory—a tournament that stands as one of the highlights of Connor’s administrative career. For many, a strong finish in the T20 World Cup on home soil would provide a poetic conclusion to nearly two decades of service that have redefined what is possible for women in cricket.
While Connor admits that the work of equality is never truly ‘done,’ she leaves the ECB confident in the momentum that has been established. As she prepares to move on, the cricket community acknowledges that her contributions have ensured the sport is significantly more inclusive and balanced than the one she first entered as a player.
