England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named Cindy Butts as the chairperson of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket. Following the claims of institutional racism within English cricket by former player Michael Carberry and former Test umpire John Holder, this commission was established last year to examine issues related to race and equity in the game.
Ian Watmore, Chair of the ECB, announced the appointment and said, “The creation of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket is an important step in our ambition to make cricket a game for everyone. Cindy is extremely well-qualified to lead this work and will bring empathy, rigour and practical experience to the deliberations and recommendations of the Commission.”
Butts has extensive experience in governance, inclusion and equity across the justice and policing sectors and Government. She is currently serving as a lay member of the House of Lords Conduct Committee, a lay member of the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, and the Panel Chair for the Judicial Appointments Commission. With regards to the sporting world, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of Kick It Out, the organisation created for ensuring equality and inclusion in English football.
As the Chair of this independent committee, Butts will work with the ECB to finalise the terms of reference for the Commission and lead the process to appoint independent Commissioners who can bring further diversity of thought, background and experience to the Commission.
Talking about her appointment, Butts said, “I’m excited to be bringing together my lifelong love of cricket with my passion for equity and inclusion, to lead this work for the ECB. Over the coming months, we will be looking to hear from a wide range of people who share a love of cricket, whether as spectators, players, coaches or administrators both present and past. I am committed to ensuring that cricket has a bright future in this country.”