Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson made interim Yorkshire chair before Lord Patel exit

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has been appointed as interim chair of Yorkshire.
Thompson moves up from her role as board member and non-executive director, with Lord Kamlesh Patel stepping down at the club’s next annual general meeting in March.
Thompson will work alongside Lord Patel as co-chair, and then serve as interim chair until a permanent successor is appointed.
Current Board member and Non-Executive Director Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has been appointed as Co-Chair to work alongside Lord Patel until the AGM and will continue to serve as interim Chair until the new Chair is appointed #YorkshireFamily
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) January 19, 2023
Patel joined Yorkshire in November 2021 following the fallout from Azeem Rafiq’s allegations the previous year of racist treatment while at the county.
Thompson, 53, is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest Paralympians, with 11 gold medals.
A statement from Yorkshire read: “The board will be working with a leading international executive search firm to conduct a fair, thorough and robust recruitment process to identify an appropriate candidate. The process is open to both internal and external candidates.
“YCCC is committed to continuing to deliver positive changes in line with the values and standards established by Lord Patel and the board.
“The board and the outgoing chair are also focused on ensuring a thorough and seamless transition within the club’s leadership.”
Patel oversaw a period of reform that resulted in international cricket returning to Headingley and a focus on improving equality, diversity and inclusion but also saw the a significant number of staff leave.
The departures, including the entire coaching team, proved highly controversial and Yorkshire agreed costly settlement packages after accepting the dismissals were procedurally unfair.
Meanwhile, a hearing to examine allegations of racism linked to the club is set to take place in March.
“Since arriving at the club I have been driven by a desire to learn from the past and make Yorkshire a benchmark of cohesion and togetherness, ensuring it is an inclusive home for all who play for and support us, now and in the future,” said Patel, who announced his resignation earlier this month.

“The process that we have established will ensure we are ideally placed to find a successor who can take on this responsibility and continue to drive our vision forward, building on the progress we have made over the last year.
“I am grateful to the board, and in particular Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson for agreeing to be part of a smooth handover process.
“It has been a pleasure working alongside such an experienced and committed leadership team, and I know that all are committed to our mission to get this club back to where it deserves to be, both on and off the field.”
Latest
-
News
Jofra Archer returns career-best ODI figures as England claim consolation win
England won the third and final match against South Africa but had already lost the series.
-
England
Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler hit hundreds as England fight back in South Africa
Buttler’s men are bidding to avoid a series clean sweep and a sixth successive loss in the ODI format.
-
County Cricket
Tom Curran taking break from red-ball cricket for ‘my body and my mental health’
The 27-year-old has endured injury problems in recent years.
-
The Ashes
Olly Stone hopes to play a role in an England pace trio during this year’s Ashes
Stone hopes to play a role this summer along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
-
England
Olly Stone ready for whatever role is required to make England World Cup squad
‘Any way in the England team, I’ll snap someone’s hand off,’ said Stone.
-
Women's Cricket
Dane van Niekerk ‘absolutely broken’ to miss World Cup over fitness standards
The South Africa captain was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.
-
England
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.