Trudy Lindblade leads Cricket Scotland with a focus on performance, growth, and inclusion as its first female Chief Executive Officer. Since stepping into the role in 2024, she has balanced operational leadership with advocacy for diversity across the sport. “Being a role model and championing female leaders in sport is important to ensure diversity of thought and conversation,” she says, underscoring the broader influence of her leadership beyond day-to-day operations.
At Cricket Scotland, Trudy oversees a wide-ranging agenda, from grassroots participation to high-performance pathways for men and women. “Governance is an enabler if it’s used correctly… you need to understand your membership, understand your local community,” she explains, emphasizing how effective governance supports strategic priorities and organizational impact.
This year, with Edinburgh hosting the ICC Annual General Meeting, Trudy and her team are serving as local hosts, demonstrating the organization’s capability on the global stage. Her priorities also include expanding opportunities for women across coaching, administration, and umpiring, aligning the organization’s strategy with the broader goal of equity in global cricket.
Her experience spans multiple sports and continents. Before returning to cricket, Trudy was Chief Executive Officer of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, managing the integration of 13 world championships into a single mega event. Her cycling credentials include directing the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and leading Australian Cycling Events, a subsidiary of Cycling Australia, responsible for delivering major competitions. She also contributed to event acquisitions with Visit Victoria, playing a key role in launching the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and supporting Melbourne’s successful 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup bid.
Trudy began her career in cricket administration in Australia, including leading event operations for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20. These roles gave her insight into the operational and political challenges of high-level sport. Reflecting on her journey, she notes, “Early in my career, it was hard to get through as a young female in sport… but if you don’t take risks, you don’t get opportunities either.”
She also champions global networks for women in cricket, citing mentors and peers who have shaped her approach. “We need to ensure equity in conversations at the top table… and that needs to come from everybody.” Under Trudy’s guidance, Cricket Scotland is positioned to thrive both on the field and as a progressive, well-governed organization, modeling a sustainable path for the growth of women’s cricket worldwide.