• County news

Yorkshire appoint former Notts chief

Mark Arthur is tasked with maintaining Headingley's status as an international venue © Getty Images

Enlarge

Yorkshire have appointed Mark Arthur as the county's new chief executive. He will take up his post at Headingley on May 7.

Arthur has a background in cricket administration having worked for the Test and County Cricket Board (the forerunner to the ECB) before becoming chief executive at Nottinghamshire. He then moved across the Trent to take up the same role at Nottingham Forest football club. He spent 13 years at the City Ground before being sacked by the club's new Kuwaiti owners in January.

"I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire," Arthur said. "It is an honour and a massive opportunity to be part of the biggest cricket club in the world, which boasts nearly 900 playing clubs and a vibrant development programme, which is the envy of world cricket.

"I will do everything during my time at Headingley for the betterment of Yorkshire cricket. The hard work has been undertaken over the last few years to stabilise the club and now we have a great opportunity and a solid platform to take the club forward."

Arthur inherits a modern, recently-developed stadium and a team that won their place back in Divison One of the County Championship last season. He will take on the challenge of maintaining Headingley's status as an international venue in an increasingly competitive market. Yorkshire decided not to bid for an Ashes Test in 2013 or 2015, deeming it too costly.

"Mark's appointment It is fantastic news for the club," Colin Graves, Yorkshire chairman, added. "He has over 20 years' experience at the highest level of sports administration, both in cricket and football. His experience and knowledge will be vital in taking the club forward in what will be an exciting period, both on and off the field."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.