Tracey Orr named Warwickshire County Cricket Club chair

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has appointed Tracey Orr, currently senior independent director, as the new chair with effect from Friday 1 May 2026.

Tracey (pictured) was co-opted as a board director in February 2022 and then began her first full term in 2023, becoming senior independent director at the same time.

She is a member of the Cricket Committee, board lead for professional women’s cricket, and a member of nominations and remuneration committees.

Orr is a highly experienced commercial and human resources leader having spent over 30 years working in the co-operative sector, culminating in 2021 as chief operating officer of the Central England Co-operative with staff of 8,000 and annual revenue of £900+ million.

She is a long standing West Midlands resident, settling in the region after graduating from Aston University in 1984.

Tracey said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the new Chair at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

“I have always been moved by the passion, enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by everyone you meet since joining the club four years ago.

“It was this collective commitment from members, colleagues, players, communities and friends of this Club that inspired me to want to lead it forward.

“My gratitude and thanks also extend to outgoing Chair Mark McCafferty. He has led with ambition and integrity and we are all grateful for his guidance and support over the last nine years.”

The extensive process included external and internal candidates and was led by a specially constructed board committee for chair succession, comprising three non-executive directors whose recommendation was approved unanimously by the independent members of the board.

Having retired from Central England Co-op in 2021 and moving to a non-executive career, as well as her roles at Warwickshire, Tracey is also a member of the board of trustees of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, board director at the Civil Service Sports Council, and vice chair and senior independent director at Ice Hockey UK.

She takes over as Chair in May with phase 3.2 of the masterplan for Edgbaston Stadium now in construction, the scope of the Club’s professional Cricket teams extended to include Bears Women and the Birmingham Phoenix teams, and a comprehensive new four year Strategy launched.

Tracey takes over the role from Mark McCafferty who stands down after nine years on the Board, with the last six as Chair.

During his tenure, Mark initially led the board and club through the unprecedented impact and challenges from COVID, the award of the club’s best ever allocation of international matches and major match days, an eighth Rothesay County Championship title, and through to last year’s successful The Hundred capital raise which facilitated the current major phase of Edgbaston’s  redevelopment.

Mark McCafferty said: “It has been a privilege to help guide this great Club through the latest phase of its illustrious history.

“For so many of us, Edgbaston and the Bears continue to create special experiences, friendships and lasting memories.

“As custodians of that responsibility, we seek always to leave the Club and this wonderful venue stronger than before.

“I’m delighted that I shall be handing over to Tracey, with whom I’ve worked closely over the last four years. She has a wealth of relevant experience, coupled with a deep understanding of the region, and has already been central to many of our key strategies.

“With her background in membership owned organisations - she understands the important role that members play in the success of a contemporary Cricket Club. A busy few years lie ahead, and I know she and the whole Board will continue to drive this great Club forward.”