Kent Cricket has today announced that after more than six years in the role, Simon Storey has signalled his intention to step down from his role as Chief Executive of Kent Cricket at the end of the 2025 season.
Between now and the end of the season, he will continue to work as Chief Executive supporting the Board in their search for a successor before moving into a part-time Strategic Advisory and External Development role with the Club, which will leverage his Board-level experience and the extensive relationships he has forged with stakeholders across Kent. Simon’s transition from the CEO role has the full support of Chair, Jamie Clifford, and the Board of Kent Cricket.
Simon joined the Club in January 2019 after seven years as the Chief Executive of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, where he led the Club’s successful bid, and hosting of, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017. A graduate of Loughborough University, prior to his 14 years in sports administration, Simon gained experience in a variety of commercial, marketing and general management roles, including a 15-year career for global healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson in the UK and overseas.
Speaking about his decision to step down, Simon said: “It has been an amazing privilege to serve as Chief Executive of Kent Cricket.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Kent Cricket family and the wider game – executive staff and Board colleagues, commercial and local authority partners, Members, supporters, volunteers and our Kent Cricket Community Trust and ECB partners – for all their support and for trusting in my leadership during this period of the Club’s exciting journey.
“I have been inspired by the sense of purpose that the role instils, and the desire and passion to see Kent Cricket succeed on and off the field, providing opportunity and aspiration for the next generation.
“After more than 30 years in commercial and sports leadership roles, and with unprecedented new Hundred monies on the horizon, it is critical that Kent Cricket is ready to make the most of new opportunities in the next five years and beyond.
“It is the right time now for me, and my ever-supportive family, to step aside and allow a new CEO to bring fresh perspectives, harness the skills of our Board members and lead our talented and committed executive team.
“The new cricket landscape promises real opportunity and I am looking forward to being able to contribute to the future strategic development of cricket in Kent, as well as helping the Board, who could not have been more supportive of my decision, in their search for my successor.”
Reacting to the news, Chair, Jamie Clifford, said: “We are pleased that Simon will remain involved with Kent Cricket, even as he steps back from the day-to-day running of the Club.
“His experience and deep understanding of Kent Cricket will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition, and his support will be of great benefit to the incoming CEO. Once the handover is complete, we are delighted that Simon will continue to work with the Board, helping to guide the Club’s long-term strategic direction.
“I want to take this opportunity to recognise the significant contribution Simon has made to Kent Cricket and to the wider cricketing community in the County during his tenure as CEO. His leadership through a particularly complex and challenging period – including navigating COVID-19 and The Hundred negotiations – has been greatly valued.
“His time at the helm also coincided with on-field success: two white-ball trophies for Kent Men and County Championship and Women’s London Championship triumphs for Kent Women. We are fortunate that we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and passion in a new capacity.”
The search for Simon’s successor as CEO will begin in April.
Picture supplied by Kent Cricket.