Essex County Cricket Club has appointed Rachel Lewis as its new chair, the club has confirmed. The appointment marks the first time a woman has held the top role in the club’s 150‑year history and comes amid a sustained period of change at board level.
Historic appointment after turbulent year
Lewis, who until now has been chair of Essex Cricket in the Community for three years, succeeds Jason Gallian, who had served in an interim capacity since September 2025. Her elevation is the latest in a run of leadership changes at the club following the resignation of a previous chair last year amid controversy over their professional CV.
"It is an immense honour to be appointed Chair of Essex County Cricket Club, particularly in this, our 150th year,"
Those were Lewis’s words on taking the position. She emphasised the opportunity presented by the club’s heritage and its current projects, including a ground redevelopment and efforts to maintain competitive performance for both teams.
Board changes and governance focus
The new chair will be supported by a refreshed senior team. Jamas Hodivala KC has been named Deputy Chair to bring additional legal and governance expertise to the board. Jason Gallian and his deputy, Vicky Ford, will remain as board members.
- Historic milestone: first female chair in 150 years.
- Governance emphasis: Deputy Chair appointed with legal expertise.
- Continuity and change: interim officials remain on board while leadership is refreshed.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Rachel Lewis |
| Deputy Chair | Jamas Hodivala KC |
| Interim Chair (remains on board) | Jason Gallian |
| Board member (former deputy) | Vicky Ford |
| Chief Executive | Dan Feist |
| Club President | John Lever MBE |
What the club has said
Senior figures at the club praised the appointment. The chief executive highlighted Lewis’s background as an Olympian and her community leadership as valuable assets for steering the organisation through its next phase. The club president described the development as a positive step in a year of celebration for the county side.
For supporters and local stakeholders, the appointment will be watched for signals about governance stability, the pace and scope of the planned ground redevelopment, and how the board plans to balance on-field ambition with community engagement. Lewis’s prior role running community work within the club suggests an intent to maintain that link even as the organisation addresses strategic and commercial challenges.
Given the recent churn at board level, the new chair faces immediate expectations to deliver clear governance and to foster unity across the membership and leadership. How Lewis and the refreshed senior team handle redevelopment and competitive priorities will shape the club’s direction in the near term.
