Richard Thompson (cricket administrator)

Richard William Thompson (born 1966) is a British advertising executive, sports administrator, who since 2022 serves as Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Life
Educated at Cheam High School in Surrey, Thompson joined a computer sales company in Croydon before founding sport and entertainment talent agency, Merlin Elite (now M&C Saatchi Merlin), in 2002.

After selling a 60% stake in the firm to M&C Saatchi in 2013, Thompson continued as Chairman of M&C Saatchi Talent, where he acquired other talent agencies including Red Hare and Grey Whippet. In 2021, he was appointed non-executive Chairman of the M&C Saatchi UK Group.

Thompson has held various chairmanships including of Debrett's Limited (2012–18) and Twofour Group (2014–19). A keen cricketer, he served as Chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club (2011–22), before being elected Chairman of the ECB in 2022.

An Honorary Life Vice President of Surrey CCC and a member of Marylebone Cricket Club, Thompson is also a Freeman of the Haberdashers' Company.

He and his wife, Danielle, live at Kingston, Surrey, with their three children.