Robert Lawson taking the helm at MCC

Article posted by Coliseum, January 14^th, 2025

Image: Coliseum GSVA

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has appointed Robert Lawson as the club’s new Chief Executive and Secretary.

Lord’s said Lawson, who will take up the position in February, brings a wealth of leadership and commercial expertise, honed over a distinguished career at BP and Mercuria Energy Group.

His strategic acumen, coupled with a profound passion for cricket and community engagement, makes him uniquely qualified to lead MCC through an exciting era of growth and innovation for the Club.

Lawson replaces outgoing Chief Executive & Secretary, Guy Lavender. Rob Lynch will continue in his interim role until Lawson commences.

The MCC is a cricket club founded in 1787 and based since 1814 at Lord’s Cricket Ground which it owns. The club, formerly the governing body of cricket, retains considerable global influence.

The 31,100-capacity Lord’s Cricket Ground, commonly known as Lord’s, is a cricket venue in St John’s Wood, London (UK). Named after its Founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by the MCC and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club. Lord’s is widely referred to as the Home of Cricket.

Lord’s added that Lawson’s tenure at BP included pivotal roles such as Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions and Programme Director for the major transformation projects Reinvent BP and Reset BP.

He oversaw over $100 bilion in M&A transactions and drove large-scale organisational and cultural change with a clear strategic vision, including the pivot towards the energy transition.

Since 2022, Lawson has served as Executive Vice President at Mercuria Energy Group, most recently managing its London office and leading business development and investments across EMEA and Latin America.

As a Senior Independent Director for the national governing body of American Football in Great Britain, Lawson possesses a strong understanding of sports governance and issues facing both grassroots and elite sport.

He is no stranger to globally recognised projects, sitting on a variety of Boards and has been recognised for his leadership, project delivery and managing complex stakeholders and committees.

Cricket has been a central pillar in Lawson’s life, from his school days through to playing in Sunday leagues and his philanthropic work with the Alsama Project in Lebanon where cricket empowers refugee youth and is a project in which the MCC Foundation is heavily involved.

His broad understanding of the game combined with his partnership and investment knowledge ensures he is well positioned to advise on The Hundred. He is deeply aware of MCC’s values, vision and future ambitions, particularly in the areas of membership engagement, facilities and commercial opportunities going forward.

Mark Nicholas, Marylebone Cricket Club Chair, expressed his excitement at the appointment. He said: “Rob Lawson emerged as a truly outstanding candidate from a very strong field. His remarkable commercial track record coupled with his deep love for cricket and his first-hand understanding of private members’ clubs such as RAC, promises a dynamic and exciting future for MCC.

“Rob’s global perspective and ability to connect with diverse stakeholders will perfectly complement the cricketing and event expertise within MCC’s leadership team. This is a time of huge potential and opportunity for the Club, and I am thrilled to welcome Rob to the helm.”

Lawson commented: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chief Executive & Secretary at MCC, a club that embodies the spirit and tradition of cricket. I look forward to collaborating with Mark, the Members, the Committee and the entire MCC team, to build on its storied history while navigating the opportunities and challenges of modern cricket and the Club’s constant mission to be working for the good of the game.”

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