Robert Lawson, a senior executive in the energy industry, has been named as the new Chief Executive and Secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club, and will take up his new role at Lord’s in mid-February 2025.
Lawson’s career included a role as Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions and Programme Director at BP, where he oversaw more than $100 billion in transactions, and according to an MCC press release, “drove large-scale organisational and cultural change with a clear strategic vision.”
His cricket background includes philanthropic work with the Alsama Project in Lebanon, a refugee project with which the MCC Foundation has a strong connection.
He joins MCC at a pivotal juncture for the club, with the Lord’s-based London Spirit set to be the most lucrative of the eight teams in the impending Hundred equity sale, for which MCC will be gifted a 51% stake.
“His broad understanding of the game combined with his partnership and investment knowledge ensures he is well positioned to advise on The Hundred,” added MCC in their release. “He is deeply aware of MCC’s values, vision and future ambitions, particularly in the areas of membership engagement, facilities and commercial opportunities going forward.
“Rob Lawson emerged as a truly outstanding candidate from a very strong field,” Mark Nicholas, MCC’s chair, said. “His remarkable commercial track record coupled with his deep love for cricket and his first-hand understanding of private members’ clubs such as RAC, promises a dynamic and exciting future for MCC. Rob’s global perspective and ability to connect with diverse stakeholders will perfectly complement the cricketing and event expertise within MCC’s leadership team. This is a time of huge potential and opportunity for the Club, and I am thrilled to welcome Rob to the helm.”
Lawson himself said: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chief Executive and Secretary at MCC, a club that embodies the spirit and tradition of cricket. I look forward to collaborating with Mark, the Members, the Committee and the entire MCC team, to build on its storied history while navigating the opportunities and challenges of modern cricket and the Club’s constant mission to be working for the good of the game.”
