At a non-test-hosting location, the cost of the response to prejudice scandal is so high that it takes a toll on the finances.
John Stephenson, Essex's general executive, has announced his resignation after just three years in the role, in what is understood to be a cost- cutting measure that reflects the deepening economic crisis among no- Test- hosting counties.
Stephenson, who scored more than 10, 000 initial- school works for Essex between 1985 and 2004, returned to the team as chief executive in 2021, having spent the adjacent 17 years at MCC.
However, he has since resigned to "pursue another projects," with Dan Feist, Essex's past operations manager, being appointed general manager as part of a club hierarchy change.
Stephenson's day at Chelmsford proved to be stormy, with the team embroiled in a series of prejudice scandals, including an alleged prejudiced opinion from the then- chairman, John Faragher, at a board meeting in 2017- a charge that Faragher denies but for which the club was fined £50, 000 by the Cricket Discipline Commission.
Next month, the club was repeatedly charged by the Cricket Regulator- the sport's innovative independent disciplinary body- after a series of historic allegations of racist abuse were last year upheld by an independent report, conducted by Katherine Newton KC.
Stephenson is credited with impressing the ECB for leading the club's response to the scandals, and earlier this year, Essex were honored with a successful bid to host one of eight initial Tier 1 women's teams starting in 2025, a prospect Stephenson hoped would "future-proof" the club, including through the rehabilitation of their home ground in Chelmsford.
However, the financial toll of the racism scandal, including the commissioning of the Newton Report and a review of the club's finances, has led to the conclusion that the club may not be able to afford a traditional CEO going forward. Stephenson has stepped down with immediate effect, but will remain on the board until the end of the season.
" This has been a difficult decision to make as Essex has been in my bloodstream since the day I walked through the doors at Chelmsford in 1984", Stephenson said.
" I am proud of what I achieved here. I have enjoyed working with our persecuted and talented board and our close-knit, professional and dedicated staff. I particularly enjoyed my time as the chief executive.
We've had a lot of success on the field, and I'm confident there will be more.
Responding to Stephenson's departure, Anu Mohindru, Essex's chairman, said:" He has shown outstanding leadership in guiding Essex through the last three years, and we are extremely sad to see him step down, but we respect his reasons.
" We have had to deal with some challenging circumstances because of historical racism allegations, but John has been our CEO." He was prepared to tackle the allegations head on, and in doing so demonstrated resolve, wisdom, fairness and integrity.
We have succeeded in securing a women's tier one team and creating a clear vision and master plan for a brand-new ground while he has been in charge. He leaves this region stronger and much better prepared for the future.
With two Division One titles in 2017 and 2019, as well as the Bob Willis Trophy in the Covid-impacted season of 2020, Essex has been one of the standout teams in the County Championship in recent years. This season, they are third in Division One, but suffered a costly defeat to leaders Surrey in their most recent match at the Kia Oval.
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