David Collier

An ambitious man with a background in cricket management, David Collier became only the second chief executive of the ECB when he was appointed in October 2004. It was a role he held until 2014, when he announced he was leaving the position. There had been much to savour in English cricket during his time in charge - four Ashes series wins, the World T20 success, strong finances in the game, and the development of the women's and disability game - but also much that raised questions. The loss of cricket on free-to-air TV was an on-going theme throughout Collier's ECB career, while his image was tarnished by the deal with Allen Stanford in 2008. His relationship with the counties, where he rose from, was not always easy, either.

He gained considerable domestic experience at four counties - Essex, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire - before landing the top job, which had been vacated by Tim Lamb in September. A literal high-flyer - he has held a glider pilot's licence since the age of 16 - Collier was a relative unknown when he was chosen to take over at the helm of the ECB. He also has worked in sports marketing, and in the leisure industry for Sema, a Cheshire-based computer-systems company. He's also a hockey referee, and in 2002 played an important part in organising a rescue package which bailed out the England Hockey Association.
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