Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICAN Michael Muirhead is the new CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The former Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) executive director replaces Dr Ernest Helaire, who will demit office later this month at the end of his three-year contract.

Muirhead, a management consultant by profession, was given the nod ahead of three other Jamaicans and a Trinidadian.

The Jamaicans are former CVM Communi-cations Group CEO Dr David McBean, former GraceKennedy chief operations officer and executive director Brian Goldson, and former president and CEO of the Urban Development Corporation Marjorie Fyffe-Campbell.

The Trinidadian is businessman Ravi Rambarran, who appeared to have been a shoe-in for the position, but was overlooked due to a breakdown in salary package negotiations.

Muirhead, who is a graduate of Georgia State University and the University of the West Indies, is also a former senior manager at National Commercial Bank and a former management consultant with Price Waterhouse.

"Michael brings a wealth of experience in a range of sectors in Jamaica and is an accomplished, astute and measured executive on whom the board will rely to execute its programmes and policies," said WICB President Dr Julian Hunte in a WICB release yesterday.

"The interview panel was most impressed with his résumé, clarity of thought, broad understanding of the sport, communication skills and overall skills set, and specifically his capacity for judicious management," he added.

The 55-year-old Muirhead, in accepting the appointment, said he was pleased with the confidence placed in him by the WICB and is looking forward to the challenge of revitalising West Indies cricket.

Strong commitment

"I am delighted at the confidence that the board has placed in me and stand committed to advancing the implementation of the strategic plan and the policies of the board," Muirhead was quoted in the WICB release.

"West Indies cricket has been enjoying some recent successes and is now positioned to be a competitive force once again among the cricketing nations of the world.

"I will do my utmost to maintain this and improve on what has already been put in place, thus ensuring that we, as West Indians, can once again proudly hold our heads high," he added.

The WICB Strategic Plan, which was crafted by Hilaire, entails:

The institutionalisation of the strategic planning process, including the outlining of strategic goals;

A review of the WICB corporate governance model, including the review implementation of corporate governance best practices;

Defining and formalisation of relationships between the WICB and member countries, including the establishment of MOUs;

The restructuring of cricket development plans, including the establishment of a centralised cross-territorial elite player pathway;

A reform of the WICB's financial and commercial model, including the examination of appropriate and effective models;

The continuation of redefining relationships with WIPA, including the establishment of new agreements with WIPA;

To address challenges posed by the separation of constituent units, including the promotion of participation of players in member countries' leagues and teams;

A review of the method of appointing directors, including a detail assessment of the changing international cricket landscape;

The establishment of a WICB Foundation in order to guarantee funding for cricket development through member countries;

The engagement of key external stakeholders, including the consideration of the inclusion of key individuals from external organisations to the board.

jermaine.lannaman@gleanerjm.com