Ed Smith has officially taken office as President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as of 1 October, marking the beginning of his one-year term. Smith was confirmed as the successor to Lord King of Lothbury during MCC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025.
Smith enjoyed a 13-season first-class career with Kent, Middlesex, and England, amassing nearly 13,000 runs including 34 centuries. He also played for Cambridge University, graduating with a double first in History.
After retiring from cricket in 2008, Smith became a well-respected writer and broadcaster, contributing to The Times and New Statesman, and appearing on BBC Test Match Special. His cricketing credentials extended further in 2018 when he was appointed Chief Selector for England men’s cricket, a role in which he helped shape the team that won the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2019.
He is also co-founder of the Institute of Sports Humanities (ISH), an organization dedicated to developing future leaders in sport through its MA in Leadership in Sport program, run in partnership with Loughborough University London.
“It is a huge honour to succeed Lord King as President of MCC,” said Smith. “Lord’s has been a special part of my life – as a cricket fan, a player and then as a selector – and this is a fascinating moment in the club’s history. I’m looking forward to serving the Club – and the wider game – to the best of my ability.”
Eoin Morgan becomes Chair of Cricket
In other key changes, former England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan has assumed the role of Chair of Cricket at MCC, succeeding Claire Taylor, whose six-year term has concluded. Morgan’s appointment for a three-year term was approved at the MCC AGM in May.
Morgan scored nearly 7,000 ODI runs for England and captained the national team in both ODI and T20 formats, including leading England to victory in the 2019 ICC Men’s World Cup at Lord’s. A Honorary Life Member of MCC, he played for Middlesex for 17 years and also captained London Spirit in The Hundred.
Further changes to MCC leadership
- Richard Baldwin is now Chair of Estates, replacing Jim Johnston after six years. A Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Member since 2002, Baldwin has served on the Estates Committee since 2018 and brings over 40 years of experience in London’s construction sector.
- Julian Metherell, MCC Member since 1986 and former PCA Chair, has joined the MCC Committee. He currently serves as Chair of London Spirit and led negotiations with the ECB to identify an investment partner for a 49% stake in the franchise.
- Tim O’Gorman, a former Derbyshire batter, has been appointed as an MCC Trustee, succeeding Matthew Fleming. O’Gorman has served on numerous MCC and ECB committees, including as Chair of the Cricket Discipline Commission.
These appointments come at a crucial time for MCC’s ongoing evolution, with the club aiming to blend tradition with forward-looking leadership across cricket operations, infrastructure, and governance.
