McCafferty wants Bears to be leaders
MARK McCafferty plans to “achieve something special” following his appointment as Warwickshire’s new chairman.
The former Sutton Coldfield schoolboy has been a member of the Bears’ board of directors since 2016 and carries a wealth of sports administration knowledge having served Premiership Rugby as chief executive for 14 years.
McCafferty, who edged out three other candidates during a ‘comprehensive interview process’, succeeds the hugely respected Norman Gascoigne, who has stood down after nearly ten years in the post.
“We have a great group of people here to build further success on and off the pitch and to achieve something special together,” said McCafferty. “I’m excited about working with the board to help realise those ambitions and honoured to take on the chair role.
“English cricket fans have had an incredible 2019 and many of those memories were forged here at Edgbaston. We’re now in a strong position to build on 2019 and, as has always been the case, Warwickshire will look to be a leader in the next phase of growth and development.
“I particularly want to pay tribute to Norman Gascoigne for everything he has helped achieve for the club as chair and the guidance he has given to so many of us.”
A former Bishop Vesey’s School pupil, McCafferty led negotiations on three major television deals and developed two long-term title partnerships to support international expansion during his time with Premiership Rugby. He also devised lasting agreements with the Rugby Football Union, on behalf of the Premiership clubs, and established the Professional Game Board.
McCafferty will be charged with pushing forward with the third and final phase of the Edgbaston
Stadium Masterplan.
A new ‘five-year strategic plan’ will be announced in the New Year and is set to feature refurbishment of the older parts of the ground, increasing capacity, and a hotel incorporated into the stadium.
During his tenure, Gascoigne oversaw the £32 million South and West Stand redevelopment project, completed in 2011.
Gascoigne said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to help steer this great club through such an important period of its recent history and I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Mark. In Mark we have someone who has a wealth of experience in sport administration and business and who is widely admired and respected across the sporting landscape.”