Middlesex chair Richard Sykes to resign amid leadership turmoil

Middlesex County Cricket Club is preparing for a leadership overhaul as Richard Sykes has announced his resignation as chair, effective at the end of the season. The decision follows a sustained campaign by former players, led by ex‑Middlesex and England captain Mike Gatting, urging Sykes to step down after three years in the role. Sykes will inform the board and members of his departure later this week, marking the second major change in the club’s top management in a short period.

The move comes just weeks after Andrew Cornish was dismissed as chief executive in June, following a complaint lodged by a fellow staff member regarding his conduct—a claim Cornish has denied. Middlesex’s board has been under pressure to address internal governance issues, and the resignations of both the chief executive and the chair are seen as attempts to restore stability and confidence within the club’s administration.

With the chair position now vacant, Middlesex will seek a new leader to guide the club through its ongoing challenges. The board is expected to appoint an interim chair and launch a search for a permanent successor in the coming months, while the club’s stakeholders await further details on the transition plan.