Sussex Cricket has appointed Beth Barrett-Wild as its permanent Chief Executive, the club announced on 3 November 2026. She is due to start on 1 January 2027 and is the club's first female chief executive.
The club says she is its tenth permanent chief executive. Alex Paterson remains Acting CEO until she takes up the role.
Who is Beth Barrett-Wild
Barrett-Wild spent 13 years at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The club says she was most recently Tournament Director of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and before that Director of the Women's Professional Game at the ECB and Head of The Hundred Women's Competition, as part of the senior leadership team for its 2021 launch.
Her career began at the MCC, and she joined the ECB in 2013 as Media Manager for England Women. She grew up playing county cricket for Essex and, according to the club, was the first girl selected for the Essex Cricket Academy, in 2001.
The club also lists an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex in 2026, a place on the Telegraph's 50 Most Influential Women in Sport list in 2024 and 2025, and the Leaders in Sport Leaders Under 40 Class of 2024.
How she was appointed
Sussex Cricket says the appointment followed an extensive and highly competitive recruitment process. Club President Sir Rod Aldridge played a central part in it.
What the club said
Chair Ed Warner said the club was absolutely delighted and that Barrett-Wild was the best person to lead it into a new chapter.
Aldridge said she brings exceptional experience, vision and a proven record of transforming the game. He linked her work in women's cricket to developing young talent and widening access to the sport.
Barrett-Wild said she was incredibly proud to be joining Sussex Cricket, pointing to its rich history and bright future. She said she would work with Warner, the Board, the executive team, players, Members and fans, and pointed to a challenging period off the field and 10 months of stabilising work at the club.
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