About The Team

Chairman

Chair MCCA 2016 to 2019 and Chair NCCA Ltd. since the formation of the Company in August 2019. Current President of Staffordshire CCC. Represented England Schools Under 15 and Under 19 sides, England Amateur XI, MCC, MCCA and UAU. Captain of Staffordshire CCC 1985 to 1995 and, subsequently, Secretary and Chair of the Club. General Manager of the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League since 2001 and a member of the ECB Development Pathway sub-group. 

Finance Director

Karen joined the NCCA Board in February 2023 as Finance Director. After a successful 25-year career in the dairy industry in several finance, pension, and board level/governance roles, she decided it was time for a change and to spend less time travelling. She became a Trustee and Finance Director at Bath Cricket Club in 2016 overhauling the financial controls and processes to ensure they were fit for purpose and able to support the club’s ambitious plans which included growing its community outreach programme. A fan of most sports, Karen is no stranger to cricket having spent many hours as a spectator and is looking forward to contributing to the NCCA board and supporting the counties

Operations Director

Richard joined the NCCA in November 2019 as Operations Manager. He played professional cricket for 12 years and followed that with 4 years in Minor County Cricket with Berkshire and Cheshire. Aside from cricket, Richard has strong business acumen with a background in business development, sponsorship and event management. Those experiences have equipped him well to support the NCCA on their exciting journey, with an emphasis on creating a clear pathway between the National County system and the First Class game. 

Company Secretary

Gordon Halliday is Secretary of NCCA Ltd. Currently Chairman of Northumberland County Cricket Club, a Director of the Northumberland Cricket Board and Secretary of South Northumberland Cricket Club, Gordon was also Secretary of the North East Premier League from 2012-2023. An all-rounder, Gordon played two times for Scotland in 1983 and played for Northumberland between 1981 and 1988. A Chartered Town Planner by profession, he retired from local government service in 2010 but still does some consultancy work. 

Non Executive Director

Toby Pound has combined a career as a commercial property lawyer with an active role in Suffolk cricket. He has been Secretary of Suffolk CCC since 1991, a director of Suffolk Cricket Board since its formation in 1997 and more recently a member of the ECB Working Group on the County Governance Framework.

Non Executive Director

Geoff Ellis is a Chartered Accountant with over 35 years in business. During 15 years at Walt Disney his roles ranged from CFO of the network of Disney Channels to negotiating and launching businesses in new markets. He brings both a commercial and an independent view to NCCA as well as many years experience as Chairman of Esher CC.

Non Executive Director

Played the game professionally for over 11 years, and then represented Dorset CCC for 3 years. National panel umpire, keen enthusiast in trying to develop cricket at the NCCA, and giving players a platform to go onto further achievements.

Non Executive Director

Sophia is currently Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Psychology at Wellington College. She plays Superleague netball for Surrey Storm and has also represented England Netball and has 7 International Caps. Currently Sophia is on maternity leave after having my second baby, Wren who is now 4 months, and her big brother is called Otis who is 2.5 years old. I am extremely passionate about equality for women in sport and enjoy spending time with my family and travelling. 

Non Executive Director

Tim Percival is Communications & Marketing Director for Premiership Rugby Club, Northampton Saints. Prior to joining Saints in 2017, Tim worked for two years as Communications Manager for the England Rugby Team. He has also held a number of senior communications roles in professional sport, including with The British & Irish Lions and Wasps. 

Originally from Suffolk, he is a keen cricketer and still plays regularly. He is currently a Non-Executive Director for Arundel Castle Cricket Club. 

Non-Executive Director

Jane joined the NCCA at the end of 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in the sports sector, including Sport England and the ECB. She now runs her own successful health and wellbeing business. In a voluntary capacity Jane has been the Chair of the Norfolk Cricket Board since 2020, and organises the Norwich Triathlon annually. Jane herself is a keen endurance athlete including long distance triathlon and ultramarathon running. Her absolute passion is motivating people to believe they can make positive changes to their daily lifestyle.