Professional Cricketers’ Association Group Chief Executive To Leave At End Of 2007 The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) announces that group chief executive, Richard Bevan, is to stand down from the role at the end of 2007. Established in 1967, the PCA is the representative body for past and present first class cricketers and over 11 years, Richard has led its dramatic growth. Richard, who is to join the League Managers Association (LMA) as chief executive in January 2008, is working with the PCA’s executive team and its group chairman to recruit a successor and ensure a smooth hand over. Richard will continue with the PCA as a non-executive director and as a trustee of the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust Charity. Dougie Brown, chairman of the PCA, said: "Richard has transformed the PCA from an organisation which provided players with the bare essentials, like insurance, into an extremely powerful force in the game. It is his vision – and his tireless efforts working towards it – which have resulted in the players now being looked after and represented a great deal better. "Richard, along with the fantastic team he has built, has taken us from an organisation with a turnover of just £ 40,000 to a group with one of circa £ 5 million. As a result, the PCA has become incredibly capable and supports players in a whole range of financial and practical ways. His impact has been huge." Michael Vaughan, England Test captain, said: "I am very grateful to Richard and his team for the dedication they show me and others in the game. The PCA has found innovative new ways of attracting sponsorship and funding and all players benefit massively from their ever-increasing range of services. I’m sorry to see Richard go, but I am delighted that he will remain involved as a non-executive director." Paul Collingwood, England One-day captain, added: "Richard and the PCA make the headlines when representing players on big issues like touring in Zimbabwe. However, it is the dedicated 24 hour-a-day support that they give all players, including those facing hardship or difficulties, where they really make the biggest impact. Our loss is most certainly the League Managers Association’s gain and I wish Richard well." Tim May, chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), said: "Richard is a FICA co-founder and has made an enormous contribution which has resulted in a significant improvement of the industrial landscape of cricketers on the international stage. Richard has proved a true and passionate champion of the sport of cricket, but he is also a true champion of the whole concept surrounding sport and fair play. The League Managers are very fortunate to have recruited an individual who is so passionate and determined in his beliefs." Richard Bevan commented: "Since I joined, the PCA has grown from just a couple of people to a highly effective operational team. It’s occasionally been an uphill struggle to achieve the challenging objectives we set ourselves, but it’s always proved immensely rewarding. The PCA has now created strong enduring relationships with all stakeholders across the game. "As a result, taking the decision to leave was tough and emotional. The LMA has asked me to lead their development to another level and I have decided that the challenge is irresistible. "With the hunt for a successor now getting underway, I’m confident that whoever replaces me will bring further skills and expertise which can take the PCA to new heights." Further information about the work of the PCA can be found at www.thepca.co.uk
