Cricket New South Wales today announced former Cricket Australia Head of Strategy, Mr Andrew Jones, as its new Chief Executive.
The decision came after a deliberate and thoughtful process conducted in conjunction with highly respected search company Heidrick & Struggles, from which an extremely talented group of candidates emerged. The candidates came from strong domestic and international backgrounds, and encompassed the highest levels of the sporting and corporate world.
The priority was to find the outstanding candidate to take Cricket New South Wales forward and return it to the position as the premier domestic cricket organisation in the world.
Jones brings strong credentials to the role, including a broad background in business and extensive experience in cricket. As a management consultant, initially working with McKinsey & Company and then boutique consultancy Centaurus Partners, Jones has advised a wide variety of firms and companies on strategy, organisation, performance improvement and team dynamics.
He has been particularly influential in shaping Australian Cricket strategy, having consulted to Cricket Australia and various State cricket organisations since 2004. Jones was also CA’s first Head of Strategy, beginning in 2010. There he managed a number of important projects, including the Australian Team Performance Review and development of the Strategy For Australian Cricket 2011-15 project.
Jones returned to Sydney full-time at the end of 2012, where he has continued his advisory role in media and sport.
He is a lifelong cricket lover who has played in the lower grades for UNSW Cricket Club for over 20 years and has served as Club President since 2009-10.
Cricket New South Wales Chairman, John Warn is delighted with the appointment and finding a candidate of the quality of Jones:
“The Board is extremely happy to have found a candidate with the all-round credentials of Andrew Jones. When we started the process of seeking a new Chief Executive, the absolute priority was finding the individual who had the right balance of business and cricketing backgrounds. Andrew is someone who understands business, has consulted to CNSW at various times and has worked closely with the Board of Cricket Australia in his previous role. He is also connected at grass roots level, as the current president of the University of New South Wales Cricket Club, and has a tremendous passion for the game of cricket and a strong sense of the history and traditions of cricket within this State. I am thrilled that he is going to be joining us.”
Jones was equally enthused:
“I am excited and humbled in equal measure to be asked to lead Cricket New South Wales. I was never a First-class cricketer, but I am aiming to provide the first-class leadership the fans, players, past players, volunteers, country colleagues, staff and Board in this State expect. When New South Wales Cricket is strong, Australian Cricket is strong and it is my aim to return this State to its rightful position as a leader of Australian cricket. To achieve that we will need to harness the great depth of experience and passion we have throughout the State. With everyone working together I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead.
Jones will commence with Cricket New South Wales on 1 July, 2013.
BIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JONES
Born: Sydney, 1972
Educated: Newington College, UNSW (BA, LLB) and Stanford University (MBA)
Worked:
– McKinsey & Company, Sydney, 1997-2000, 2004-05
– Centaurus Partners 2005-10, 2013
– Cricket Australia 2010-12
Other: President UNSW Cricket Club
