Middlesex dismiss chief executive Andrew Cornish after misconduct charges upheld

Andrew Cornish. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Andrew Cornish, Middlesex‘s chief executive, has been dismissed after an independent disciplinary panel upheld misconduct charges against him. The club confirmed in its statement that Cornish departed from his role as CEO in June. The dismissal concludes a turbulent process that began months earlier when allegations surfaced about his workplace conduct.

The Guardian first revealed in November that Cornish had taken leave following a staff complaint about his alleged behaviour toward a colleague, which was referred to the Cricket Regulator. The Regulator functions as the independent body responsible for handling disciplinary matters across English cricket. After examining the case, the Regulator charged Cornish with misconduct and presented it to the Cricket Disciplinary Panel, a three-person tribunal that ultimately ruled against him.

The allegations do not carry criminal dimensions and were not escalated to police authorities. Cornish has rejected the findings and is pursuing legal remedies.

What does this mean for Middlesex’s leadership?

Cornish’s exit marks another chapter in the club’s unstable leadership history. The former Somerset chief executive initially joined Middlesex in September 2020 as a consultant advising on long-term strategy before becoming CEO in 2021. His time at Somerset ended when the club parted ways with him in 2019 over financial performance shortfalls. At Middlesex, he presided over a difficult period that involved major budgetary pressures and ongoing legal disputes.

Who is stepping into the role?

The club has now appointed two interim CEOs to manage operations in recent months: Mahdi Choudhury, the MCC’s chief operating officer, and Julie Harrington, the former head of British Cycling, who is being considered as a permanent successor. Harrington brings substantial experience in sports administration from her previous roles leading British Cycling and the British Horseracing Authority, and took up the interim position on 20 July. Club members are scheduled to meet Harrington at a Members’ Forum on 29 July.

Middlesex have a rich history, winning several prestigious pieces of silverware over the years since it was founded in 1864. Andrew Strauss, Eoin Morgan, and Mark Ramprakash are some of the England legends who have played for this club.

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