Clifford leaving Kent to take up MCC role

Kent cricket

Kent Cricket chief executive Jamie Clifford is to leave after 15 years at the club.

Mr Clifford, who was appointed permanent CEO in 2010, is to take up a senior role at Marylebone Cricket Club.

During his spell as Kent CEO, Clifford oversaw the £10m redevelopment of The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, renamed in 2013 thanks to a partnership with Shepherd Neame.

The club’s second home of The County Ground, Beckenham, also now boasts a 2,000-seater stand, indoor school and function centre.

This has contributed to much improved financial performance.

Mr Clifford said: “It will be a great wrench to leave Kent Cricket.

“To have been chief executive of the club I have supported all my life has been a huge privilege.

“I have relished the challenges that it has thrown up. Kent cricket will always be in my blood and I look forward to returning to the ranks of the club’s fine support.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who have made my time so enjoyable and contributed to some special moments. The supporters, members, staff, players and committee have all given so much, in their own ways, to mean I will only ever look back with happy memories.

“With the many good people involved with the club, it will continue to thrive.”

Mr Clifford has been appointed assistant secretary (membership and operations) at the Marylebone Cricket Club.

He said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead at what is an exciting time for Lord’s Cricket Ground.”

Kent Cricket chairman Simon Philip said: “All of the major advancements at the club in recent years – the redevelopments at Canterbury and Beckenham, the merger of the club with the Kent Cricket Board and the financial turnaround – have Jamie’s hallmark.”

Operations director Ben Green will assume the chief executive’s duties in February 2018.