Businessman and former Black Caps paceman Dion Nash has been elected to the board of New Zealand Cricket.
Nash, who played 32 tests and 81 ODIs, also acted as a New Zealand selector before founding skin and haircare company Triumph & Disaster in 2011.
The 53-year-old will fill the vacancy left by the departing Martin Snedden, who steps down from the board by rotation following a lengthy service to the game as a player, chief executive, board member, chairman and International Cricket Council director.
Bill Birnie and Roger Twose, who were also retired by rotation, successfully stood for re-election.
NZC chairwoman Diana Pukepatu-Lyndon welcomed Nash as a new director and acknowledged Snedden’s significant contribution to the game.
"It’s good to have someone with Dion’s cricket and business experience coming on to the board at a time when Martin is stepping down," Puketapu-Lyndon said.
"Martin’s been involved with NZC since he was a player in the ’80s and has made an extraordinary contribution to the game over a period of 24 years."
NZC returned an $8 million surplus for the financial year, just over 50% above the budgeted surplus of $5.3m.
While the result was pleasing, Puketapu-Lyndon said it was important for NZC to protect its equity as there were headwinds forecast in the shape of a predicted $6.8m loss in the following 2024-25 financial year.
Revenue for the 2023-24 year was $4.5m over budget due to a distribution wash-up from the previous ICC broadcast cycle, increased gates for Pakistan and Australian series versus the Black Caps, and some new commercial partnerships.
Puketapu-Lyndon was re-elected chairwoman after the annual meeting.
The other board members are Sarah Beaman, Anna Campbell, Mike Devonshire, Kevin Malloy and Alison Shanks, while Lesley Murdoch remains president and Governor-General Cindy Kiro the patron.
Bay Oval driver and former NZC director Neil Craig was one of four new life members honoured at the annual meeting.
Former New Zealand captain Graham Dowling, Hagley Oval leader Lee Robinson and long-serving national and domestic administrator Jock Sutherland received the other life memberships.
Otago great and former New Zealand wicketkeeper and coach Warren Lees received one of three honorary memberships.
The others were given to former White Ferns Nicola Browne and Aimee Watkins (nee Mason). — APL
