The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively seeking a new female independent director to fill the vacancy left by PepsiCo executive Indra Nooyi, whose six-year tenure recently concluded. The global cricket governing body is also preparing for a change in leadership, as incumbent chairman Greg Barclay has declined to seek a third term.
Nooyi, who became the ICC’s first female independent director in 2018, has completed her full term. The ICC’s influential board has reportedly begun the search for a high-profile replacement, similar to Nooyi, who is highly respected in the corporate world.
According to the ICC statute, “The Board of Directors shall elect one individual who must be a female and who must meet the Director Eligibility Criteria to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusivity interests in the sport of cricket are appropriately represented from time to time, and such individual so elected shall be a Director (the ‘Independent Director’).”
A source close to the ICC board clarified that the criteria for the appointment are flexible, allowing for the selection of any distinguished woman from the corporate or sports sectors. “It could be anyone who has contributed in sports, business, or in general. Just for example, it could be Meg Lanning, Charlotte Edwards or someone powerful from the business community. Basically anyone who is eligible and a person of eminence with a contribution to sport,” the source explained.
The Independent Director will be elected for an initial two-year term by the Board of Directors from a list of at least three recommendations provided by the Nominations Committee. She will also have voting rights during the chairman’s election.