Lord Kamlesh Patel has been formally approved as Yorkshire’s chairman at the club’s Extraordinary General Meeting on 31 March.
A Huge Approval From Club Members:-
He received overwhelming approval from club members, with 932 voting for his presidency and only 155 voting against him. There were also 22 arrests.
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Lord Patel was appointed president in November 2021 in the wake of the Azim Rafiq scandal. And was tasked with reshaping the culture at Headingley.
However, his tenure to date has been complicated. After two previous attempts to cancel the EGM and former chairman Robin Smith. Who remains vice president at the club, publicly voiding Lord Patel’s appointment.
On the eve of the EGM, the ECB extended its support to Lord Patel. Board member Martin Darlow commenting: “I firmly believe that Kamlesh is the right person to lead Yorkshire to a new future.
With a strong team his approval and a clear path to change in the future, the club can unite again.”
The Appointment of Lord Patel as President:-
At the meeting, members were asked to approve structural changes to the board’s membership. Including the appointment of Lord Patel as chairman. The validity of his appointment, and consent to more independent directors sitting on the board.
All three resolutions were passing, meaning the club met the ECB’s conditions for a return to international cricket at Headingley.
897 members voted in favor of the second motion, with 182 opposing and 28 absent.
Meanwhile, 1,105 members voted in favor of the structural changes, with 159 opposing and 19 abstaining.
Two member representatives were also included on the board
As a result, six non-executive directors can now be appointing to the board. While two member representatives will also be on the board. With the aim of reflecting the communities in Yorkshire. Member nominees will be presenting at the Club’s AGM.
Responding to the results, Lord Patel said: “We welcome the outcome of this EGM. And thank the members for their full and fair views. The open exchange of views, and their votes. It is a sign of positive change.” There is an overwhelming vote for it.
“This support will help make Yorkshire County Cricket Club an inclusive and welcoming place and give us the clarity and certainty we need to build this great club.
“Yorkshire has now met the ECB’s requirements for the return of international cricket and working with them, we will deliver some of the best events at Headingley this summer.
“We look forward to the start of the season for all our teams. And for cricket at all levels in this county.”
“That’s an overwhelming vote for positive change”
An ECB spokesman said: “We are delighting that the members of Yorkshire have given their overwhelming approval to these reforms.
This is an important step in bringing about real change and setting the club up for a more expansive future.
The Welcome Their Commitment:-
“We welcome the progress Lord Patel has made so far. As well as his commitment to making the club one that everyone from all backgrounds can be proud of.
With these governance reforms now passed, we are satisfied that international cricket can now be staging at Headingley this summer.
“However, there is still a lot of work to be doing in Yorkshire. And it is important that definitive plans are carrying out so far. We will continue to monitor progress closely.
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“Our regulatory investigation into complaints brought by Azeem Rafiq. Which is separate from this process, is ongoing and we will update on this in due course.”
Headingley will host the Test match between England and New Zealand starting on June 27 and the ODI against South Africa on July 24.
