Middlesex Cricket has named Julie Harrington, former British Cycling chief executive, as interim chief executive. The appointment comes eight months after Andrew Cornish stepped away from his full-time role as the Cricket Regulator opened an investigation into his conduct.
The club’s statement did not mention Cornish directly, focusing instead on Harrington’s background and the road ahead for Middlesex.
Harrington’s Sports Administration Background
Harrington spent six years at the English FA as group operations director, working there from 2011 to 2017. She went on to lead British Cycling and later the British Horseracing Authority as chief executive. Her résumé also includes a recent appointment as a non-executive director at the London Stadium, a role she holds alongside Hundred managing director Vikram Banerjee.
Speaking after her appointment, Harrington called it a privilege to join a club with a proud history and strong ties to its members and supporters. She said she was looking forward to applying her experience from high-performing sporting environments while working alongside the board, staff, players and members during this period.
Richard Sykes, Middlesex’s chair, welcomed Harrington to the role, pointing to her leadership record across major sports as a valuable asset for the club going forward. He added that the focus remains on stability for staff and players while the club works to move forward with confidence.
Leadership Gap Since Cornish’s Departure
Middlesex’s operations were run earlier this year by Mahdi Choudhury, MCC’s membership director, who was seconded to the club on an interim basis until April. That arrangement left a leadership vacuum that has now been filled by Harrington’s appointment.
Cornish’s leave of absence followed months of scrutiny, and the Cricket Regulator’s investigation into his conduct remains unresolved. The club has offered no timeline for when, or if, a permanent chief executive will be named.
Middlesex’s Season So Far
On the field, Middlesex’s men’s team currently sit fourth in Division Two of the County Championship, trailing the second promotion spot by 18 points with six matches left to play. Their T20 Blast campaign has been difficult, with just three wins from ten group-stage games.
The women’s team have fared better. They remain unbeaten across three One-Day Cup matches and are placed fourth in the second tier of the Blast competition.
Middlesex’s off-field troubles are not new. The club was placed into special measures by the ECB in late 2023 following sustained financial difficulties. Former players, including Mike Gatting, criticised the club’s leadership in a sharply worded letter published just before the start of this season.
Harrington’s appointment marks another attempt by Middlesex to stabilise its leadership structure after a turbulent stretch that has affected both the club’s finances and its public standing. Whether her tenure leads to a permanent solution or simply bridges the gap until one is found will depend on how the investigation into Cornish concludes and how the club performs in the coming months.
For now, the focus at Middlesex shifts to steadying operations both on and off the pitch as the county navigates a season already marked by uncertainty.
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