Richard Thompson (cricket administrator)

Richard William Thompson is a British advertising executive then sports administrator, who since 2022 serves as Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Life

Educated at Cheam High School in Surrey, Thompson joined a computer sales company in Croydon before founding sport and entertainment talent agency, Merlin Elite in 2002.
After selling a 60% stake in the firm to M&C Saatchi in 2013, Thompson continued as Chairman of M&C Saatchi Talent, where he acquired other talent agencies including Red Hare and Grey Whippet. In 2021, he was appointed non-executive Chairman of the M&C Saatchi UK Group.
Thompson has held various chairmanships including of Debrett's Limited, Mana Group, Twofour Group and South Shore Productions since 2019. A keen cricketer, he served as Chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club, before being elected Chairman of the ECB in 2022.
An Honorary Life Vice-President of Surrey CCC, Thompson was elected a member of BAFTA and admitted as a Freeman of the Haberdashers' Company as well as to the Freedom of the City of London in 2023.