David Morgan, a past ECB chairman, and driving force behind the adoption
of Cardiff as an international venue and the restructuring of the
English domestic game, has been nominated as the next president of MCC.
The nomination of Morgan, made as tradition by the current incumbent
Mike Gatting, was announced at the club's annual meeting at Lord's. His
emollient skills may be necessary to help steer Lord's through a
delicate period in its history as passions rise over the growth of the
ground.
Morgan, whose long administrative career also included a spell as
president of ICC, will take up the post in October. With ICC, ECB and
MCC posts behind him, as well as the chairmanship of Glamorgan, he has
worked his way through the alphabet.
Tredegar born, it is the silent W in ECB which holds most of his
affection: he has always insisted on the importance of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
During his tenure, Gatting has presided over the progression of the
Lord's Masterplan, with MCC having gained planning permission for the
redevelopment of the Warner Stand, with work scheduled to commence,
subject to members' approval, in September 2015.
He has also overseen the introduction of MCC's first community
development programme, and has represented the club around the country
and overseas, including official visits to Australia, Abu Dhabi and
Oman.
He will continue in his role as president throughout this summer's
celebrations of the bicentenary of Lord's - including managing the home
side for the MCC v Rest of the World match on 5th July - before he hands
over the office to Morgan in October.
After leaving Glamorgan in 1997, Morgan became Lord MacLaurin's deputy
at the ECB until 2002, when he was elected to take on the chairmanship
himself. After five years with the ECB, Morgan was nominated for
presidency of the ICC for a two-year term, being succeeded by Sharad
Pawar in 2010. He was made an OBE in 2008.
His most recent contribution to English cricket was the Morgan Review of
2011, which was considered to be the biggest shake-up of the county
game in a decade. His commitment to hearing a wide selection of views
was unstinting and the report's recommendations, an exercise in
conciliation and compromise, were largely but not entirely implemented
prior to the start of the 2014 season.
Gatting said: "Morgan has been and remains one of the most influential
voices in the world game, and I'm sure he will do an excellent job in
leading MCC through a very important time in its history. He is
ambitious, creative and efficient and will be a fantastic leader for
this wonderful Club.
"There is work to do to continue moving the Lord's Masterplan forward
over the next year with the redevelopment of the south western corner of
the Ground, including the Tavern and Allen Stands, next on the agenda.
David has the perfect experience and temperament to make this and MCC's
other areas of work a great success."
David Hopps is the UK editor of ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: David Hopps
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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