A former treasurer to the Prince of Wales is being lined up to play a key role in a boardroom overhaul at Yorkshire County Cricket Club as it fights for survival amid the racism row which engulfed it last year.
Sky News has learnt that Leslie Ferrar, who took on responsibility for commercial and corporate governance matters in the royal household in 2005, is among a slate of new directors being proposed for election to the crisis-hit club’s board.
Industry sources said that if elected, Ms Ferrar was expected to chair Yorkshire CCC’s audit committee.
AdvertisementAs many as eight new board members are being lined up following demands from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in November that the club embarked on far-reaching governance reforms.
More from BusinessThe demands were made in the wake of revelations about racist and bullying behaviour which targeted Azeem Rafiq, the former Yorkshire player.
The scandal prompted key sponsors to sever ties with Yorkshire and sparked warnings that the club could face financial collapse.
This week, the Daily Mail reported that an impasse over governance reforms could yet see Yorkshire forced into liquidation and then re-formed as a new club.
Yorkshire is among the world’s oldest cricket clubs, tracing its roots back to 1863.
Insiders said a number of heavyweight names from business and other spheres had been approached about joining the Yorkshire CCC board.
Ms Ferrar has taken on a portfolio of roles since stepping down as treasurer to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
She continues to act as a financial advisor to the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, according to a biography on the website of Durham University, where she serves as a council member.
A spokesman for the club said: “Subject to approval of the new Club rules, up to eight individuals will be recommended for appointment by members at this year’s AGM.
“The potential new board – sought with the assistance of independent recruitment consultants, Perret Laver – is focussed on fulfilling the right mix of skills, experience and diversity/inclusivity required for the future of the Club.”
He declined to comment on Ms Ferrar’s nomination as one of the new directors.