Back in 2008, Clare Connor walked into the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as their one and only women’s cricket expert. Fast forward 18 years, and she’s not just leaving, she’s bowing out after flipping the script on women’s cricket in England and Wales. Come the end of this summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at home, the Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women will step away, leaving behind a legacy that’s nothing short of revolutionary.
It started small but snowballed into something massive. Connor brought in central contracts for the England Women squad, professional contracts for domestic players, and that game-changing five-year action plan that elevated sports experience for women. Suddenly, cricket’s exploding as one of the UK’s most admired sports for girls. And the big stages, she was there for England’s 2009 Ashes smash, back-to-back ICC wins, and that electric 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s with roaring fans.
This trailblazer captained England herself, clinching their first Ashes in 42 years in 2005. She hung up her boots with 100+ international matches. Off the field, the honors piled up: MBE, OBE, CBE for women’s sport; pioneering spots on the ICC Cricket Committee (first woman ever) and chairing its women’s arm for a decade; MCC’s first female President in 2021-22; even ECB interim CEO in 2022-23.
Clare said “Of course, a job like this is never ‘done’ but I am proud to have done my bit. This has been the job of a lifetime so deciding to leave has been an extremely hard decision. This summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup feels like the right time for me to end this chapter, confident that the momentum we’ve built will carry women’s cricket forward into the bold, bright future it deserves.”
Clare Connor reflected warmly on her colleagues and players, calling many “lifelong friends” whose passion and dedication were key to the sport’s progress. She cherishes how working with them shaped her unforgettable journey, far surpassing her dreams from 18 years ago. Acknowledging the work is never truly done, she takes pride in her contributions from what she calls the “job of a lifetime.” Leaving was a tough call, but the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, she said, “feels like the right time” to step away, confident the momentum will drive women’s cricket into a bold, bright future.
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “Clare has been one of the most influential figures in cricket. Her leadership, vision and determination have transformed the game in this country and laid foundations that will benefit generations to come,” crediting her with groundwork that’ll echo for generations. Chair Richard Thompson adds Clare’s pushed pathways and inclusion like no one else now girls grow up knowing they can make it.
As England gears up for the World Cup, Connor didn’t just build a better game. She made it possible for every girl with a bat and ball to believe.
Loves all things female cricket