LONDON — Clare Connor, the managing director of England women’s cricket and one of the most influential figures in the global women’s game, will step down from her role at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following this summer’s home Women’s T20 World Cup. The announcement marks the end of a transformative 23-year association with the ECB for Connor, who first played for England in 1995 before moving into administration.
Connor, 47, will depart after the global tournament, which England will host in September and October 2025. She will take up a new position as the ECB’s first Chief Operating Officer, a role that will see her oversee the board’s day-to-day operations and major projects. Her departure from the women’s game’s leadership signals the end of an era defined by unprecedented professionalization and growth.
A Legacy of Transformation
Appointed as the ECB’s Head of Women’s Cricket in 2007 and later Managing Director in 2015, Connor has been the architect of England’s modern women’s cricket structure. Her tenure oversaw the landmark introduction of full-time professional contracts for England women in 2014, a move that fundamentally changed the landscape. This was followed by the creation of the groundbreaking Women’s Cricket Super League in 2016 and its evolution into the fully professional, eight-team Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Perhaps her most significant domestic achievement was the launch of The Hundred in 2021, which from its inception featured equal prize money for men and women and placed both competitions on an identical platform. Under her stewardship, the visibility, commercial value, and professionalism of women’s cricket in England and Wales soared. Key milestones included:
- Selling out Lord’s for the 2017 Women’s World Cup final.
- Securing landmark standalone broadcast deals for the women’s game.
- Overseeing England’s 2017 World Cup and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal triumphs.
In a statement, Connor reflected on her journey, stating: "It has been the greatest privilege to lead the women’s professional game in England and Wales over the last nine years. The journey from amateurism to the fully professional landscape we see today has been remarkable, and I am so proud of the role our players and staff have played in inspiring so many women and girls to pick up a bat and ball."
The Final Mission: A Home World Cup
Connor’s final assignment will be to deliver a successful Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil. The tournament, scheduled for September and October 2025 across several iconic venues, represents a crucial opportunity to build on the explosive growth of women’s T20 cricket. It will be the first standalone Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in England and Wales, following the combined men’s and women’s event in the West Indies in 2010.
The ECB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be hoping for a repeat of the record-breaking crowds and television audiences seen during the 2022 Women’s Euros in football, leveraging the event to drive participation to new heights. Connor emphasized her commitment to this final challenge, saying: "My immediate focus remains on supporting Heather Knight and her team and delivering a fantastic T20 World Cup for players and fans alike next year."
A Global Influence and Future Role
Connor’s influence extends far beyond English cricket. She served as the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2021-22, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the club’s 235-year history. She also acted as the ECB’s interim Chief Executive in 2022 and has been a powerful advocate for gender equality in global cricket governance. Her new role as Chief Operating Officer will see her apply her strategic expertise across the entire ECB portfolio.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould paid tribute to Connor’s monumental impact: "Clare has been an exceptional leader for women’s cricket. Her vision, passion, and determination have transformed the game. From achieving professional contracts to launching The Hundred with gender parity at its heart, her legacy is immense. We are delighted she will remain with the ECB to take on a broader leadership role."
The Search for a Successor
The ECB has confirmed it will begin a global search for Connor’s successor immediately. The new Managing Director will inherit a thriving but demanding environment, with expectations higher than ever. Key challenges for the incoming leader will include:
- Sustaining the commercial momentum of the women’s game.
- Navigating an increasingly crowded global calendar.
- Continuing to close the gap with the dominant Australian side.
The role is now one of the most prestigious in world cricket administration, a testament to the foundations Connor has built. Her departure, while a significant moment of transition, comes at a time when the women’s game in England is structurally stronger and more visible than at any point in its history.
Conclusion: An Enduring Impact
Clare Connor’s journey from England captain to transformative administrator mirrors the journey of women’s cricket itself: from the margins to the mainstream. Her decision to leave her role after the T20 World Cup provides a natural bookend to her leadership of the women’s game, offering a final, home-stage spectacle to cap her tenure. As she prepares to pass the baton, the ecosystem she built—professional, commercially viable, and inspiring a generation—stands as her most lasting contribution. The upcoming World Cup will not just be a tournament; it will be a celebration of the era she engineered.