Cricket West Indies gets new head
Jamaican Chris Dehring has been officially appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
The Jamaican was selected from a competitive pool of over 50 applicants representing Europe, Australia, Afghanistan, India, and the Caribbean. CWI, who made the announcement via its official website on Monday, December 16, said that Dehring’s appointment is the culmination of a meticulous, meritocratic process that included independent experts.
Dehring, the founder of SportsMax, the Caribbean’s first sports television broadcaster that has transformed the region’s media landscape, is no stranger to positions like this, having co-founded Jamaica’s first investment bank, Dehring, Bunting & Golding, which grew into a financial powerhouse before being acquired by Scotiabank. ReadyTV and ReadyNET, Jamaica’s first digital broadcast television service and the first satellite internet provider, are other additions to his entrepreneurial portfolio.
According to CWI, Dehring’s nomination underscores the organisation’s unwavering commitment to attracting top-tier talent to oversee West Indies cricket. It praised Dehring as a visionary leader with a proven track record in finance, sports management, media, and telecommunications who is perfectly positioned to guide CWI into a new era of growth and development.
The new CEO is also familiar with CWI’s executive body, having previously served as managing director and CEO of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. That year, he oversaw one of the most complicated and successful multinational sporting events in Caribbean history. His leadership resulted in the construction of ten cutting-edge stadiums, the introduction of pioneering fan experiences like the Mound party stand at Sabina Park, and the adoption of development programmes such as the Shell Cricket Academy and Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket.
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI, has praised the appointment, saying, “Consistent with the priority to recruit exceptional leadership to drive our mission forward, Chris Dehring represents the best of the best—an innovator, strategist, business magnate, and passionate advocate for West Indies cricket. His return as an executive at West Indies cricket, signals the dawn of an exciting new era as we work to reclaim our position as a dominant force in world cricket.”
Dehring will officially begin on February 1, 2025, and has expressed much enthusiasm following the appointment. “West Indies cricket has always held a special place in my heart. As a unifying force and a symbol of pride for our region, I am honoured to return to an organisation that holds great significance to our people.”