Yorkshire CEO Mark Arthur resigns with immediate effect amidst Azeem Rafiq racism row

Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Arthur resigned on November 11 as the club’s struggle amid Azeem Rafiq racism row continues. Arthur’s is the second high-profile resignation this week after the club chairman Roger Hutton stepped down from his position on November 5.

The club, in an official release on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of Paul Hudson, Finance Director, as the acting CEO, while iterating “that recruitment process for the appointment of a full-time Chief Executive will begin in due course.”

“Today (11 November) the Board at Yorkshire County Cricket Club has accepted the resignation of Mark Arthur as CEO. We thank him for his tenure,” Lord Kamlesh Patel, the new chairman, said in the release.

“This is an important moment for the Club which is ready to move forward with new leadership, which will be vital in driving the change we urgently need,” he added.

“We know there is still much work to be done and more difficult decisions to be made. We need to rebuild the trust of the fans, the cricketing world and the public”.

The outgoing CEO Arthur, who was appointed in 2013, thanked the club as he looked back at his eight “fantastic years”, during which he oversaw several projects and back-to-back County Championship victories.

“I’ve had eight fantastic years at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, working alongside an outstanding group of people, and together achieving many highlights. I would like to thank the members for their support over this period and wish the club all the very best in the years to come,” Arthur said while highlighting his achievements including the introduction of professional women’s cricket to Headingley and first-class cricket to York, apart from the redevelopment of Bradford Park Avenue for the benefit of the community.

During his tenure, the club also saw a £7m reduction in their long-term debts, while he also was responsible for Yorkshire gaining a contract that granted them a 50% share of catering at the Headingley Stadium.

The Yorkshire CCC has been in severe turmoil after its questionable handling of Rafiq’s racism row.