Richard William Thompson (born 25 October 1966) is a British advertising executive then sports administrator, who since 2022 serves as Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.[1]
Life
editEducated at Cheam High School in Surrey, Thompson joined a computer sales company in Croydon before founding sport and entertainment talent agency, Merlin Elite (now M&C Saatchi Merlin) 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.[2]
Thompson has held various chairmanships including of Debrett's Limited (2012–18), Mana Group (2014–18), Twofour Group (2014–19) and South Shore Productions since 2019.[3] A keen cricketer, he served as Chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club (2010–22), before being elected Chairman of the ECB in 2022.[4]
An Honorary Life Vice-President of Surrey CCC,[5] Thompson was elected a member of BAFTA and admitted as a Freeman of the Haberdashers' Company[6] as well as to the Freedom of the City of London in 2023.
In 2005 Thompson married Danielle née Hayward; they live at Kingston, Surrey, with their three children.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Richard Thompson, ECB Chair - My vision for cricket". www.ecb.co.uk. 4 December 2023.
- ^ "About us | M&C Saatchi Group". mcsaatchi.com.
- ^ www.southshore.uk
- ^ Staff, Cricexec (2 March 2023). "Who's Who in Cricket: Richard Thompson".
- ^ Hanley, Darren (5 May 2023). "Surrey Appointments Confirmed At AGM".
- ^ www.haberdashers.co.uk