JAMES SUTHERLAND

Chair, Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF)

James Sutherland is the immediate past CEO of Cricket Australia having concluded in October 2018 after 17 years leading the national umbrella body responsible for the administration of the sport.

James played a key role in the leading on and off-field professionalism of cricket, steering major reforms in its governance and financial model, driving significant revenue and participation growth, increasing the focus on cricket as a sport for women and girls, and launching new initiatives such as the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League which has been successful in bringing new fans to cricket.

He was a board member of the Local Organising Committee responsible for staging of the 2015 ICC World Cup – and continues today as a board member for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020.

James had previously chaired an industry body, having been the inaugural Chairman of COMPPS – the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (whose board comprises the CEOs of Cricket, AFL, ARU, NRL, FFA, Netball and Tennis) – serving in that role for 10 years to 2018.

In addition to the T20 World Cup, some of his other responsibilities include being a Director of the Geelong Football Club and sitting on the Deakin University Business School Advisory Board.