The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) has announced the nomination of Rashid Shah as its new Board Member for Marketing and Communications, to be confirmed at the upcoming General Meeting.
Shah, a veteran executive and longtime supporter of Dutch cricket, brings over two decades of business leadership and marketing experience to the KNCB. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance the visibility and reach of cricket in the Netherlands.
From Optiver to Tachyon: A career built on growth and innovation
Rashid Shah moved to the Netherlands in 1999, earning a Master’s degree before joining Optiver Holding BV in 2001. During his 21-year career at Optiver, he played a central role in expanding the firm from a 50-person operation to a global financial powerhouse with thousands of employees worldwide. He retired in 2021 and currently serves as the Managing Director of the Optiver Foundation.
In addition to his foundation work, Shah is the CEO and co-owner of Tachyon Security, an IT firm he founded with a partner. Tachyon Security became a sponsor of the KNCB Women’s Super League in 2023, continuing Shah’s tradition of supporting Dutch cricket.
Championing Dutch cricket on and off the field
Shah has been deeply involved in the cricket community since joining VRA Amsterdam in 2002. He has served on the VRA board and currently sits on its Supervisory Board. As a former player and advocate, he has consistently worked to advance the sport’s development in the Netherlands.
Among his key contributions:
- Secured corporate sponsorship for the Netherlands cricket team through Optiver for the 2007 and 2011 ICC World Cups
- Co-founded the Amsterdam Cricket Academy and the Dutch Cricket Development Foundation
- Promoted women’s cricket through Tachyon’s 2023 sponsorship of the KNCB Women’s Super League
A strategic appointment for the KNCB’s future
The KNCB believes Shah’s corporate experience, marketing acumen, and passion for the sport will be invaluable as it seeks to raise the profile of Dutch cricket nationally and internationally. His nomination will be formally considered at the KNCB’s next General Meeting.
“Rashid’s proven track record in both the business and cricket worlds makes him an ideal candidate to drive our marketing and communications strategy forward,” said a KNCB spokesperson.
