Formerly an international rugby union player for England Men, he was also Director of Rugby at Newcastle Falcons and Director of Professional Rugby at the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The relationship between the ECB and the first-class counties is of paramount importance and the way in which we’re able to support the men’s and women’s professional game is one of our major priorities. Reuters) - Former England rugby union player and Sussex County Cricket Club chief executive Rob Andrew has been appointed as England's managing director of professional cricket, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Friday. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to bring Rob Andrew on board into such an important role.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that Rob Andrew, Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Cricket, will join the company as the new Managing Director, Professional Game, leaving Sussex after 7 years. Equally, the opportunities to take the women’s game forward are immense and working together with all partners will be critical to getting this right. The position forms part of the ECB’s Senior Leadership Team with overall responsibility for the professional domestic game, including management of the County Partnership Agreement and support of the Professional Game Committee, which has responsibility to provide strategic advice to the ECB Board in relation to men’s and women’s professional cricket. I look forward to working with all ECB partners and stakeholders to build on already strong foundations.The relationship between the ECB and the First-Class Counties is of paramount importance, and the way in which we’re able to support the men’s and women’s professional game is one of our major priorities.

My seven years at Sussex have given me a great insight into the landscape of professional cricket in this country, both men’s and women’s. Sussex chair Jon Filby said: “The board of Sussex Cricket is extremely grateful to Rob for his outstanding contribution to Sussex since he joined us in January 2017. The new role succeeds that of Managing Director, County Cricket and will see Andrew assuming responsibility for growing and nurturing both men’s and women’s professional domestic cricket in line with the Inspiring Generations strategy, and overseeing engagement with the First Class Counties and Women’s Regional Teams.With a highly talented group of young cricketers under the leadership of Paul Farbrace set for on-field success, women’s cricket continuing to grow rapidly, the Sussex Cricket League again expected to grow next summer and our important partnerships with Oxfordshire Cricket and the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, cricket in Sussex is in rude health.