Nick Hockely has announced that he will step down as Cricket Australia (CA) CEO by the end of the next cricket season. This marks the end of a distinguished career of nearly 13 years with CA, including five years as CEO. He was appointed as CA’s interim CEO in June 2020 and took up the role permanently after 11 months.
He started his career as CA CEO during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Under his supervision, CA established a five-year strategy that allowed them to secure significant media deals with Seven West Media, Foxtel Group, and Disney Star in India. Additionally, the CA also facilitated a new player Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Cricketers’ Association. The MOU includes a 66% pay increase for professional female cricketers. In addition, the Big Bash League, the professional Twenty20 cricket league in Australia, has been revitalized under his guidance.
During Hockley’s tenure, the Australian team has achieved several accomplishments. Australia made their first tour to Pakistan in over two decades and also retained both the women’s and men’s Ashes. Australia also won six ICC titles, including men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups, the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups, the World Test Championship in 2023, and the Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Additionally, Australia secured the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Hockley’s association with Cricket Australia started in October 2012 when he was appointed as the General Manager of Commercial & Marketing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. He later took up the role of CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020.
“This was a difficult decision, however following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the Board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place.
“This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focused on the season ahead and supporting the Board on succession and a smooth transition,” Hockley was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
