Puketapu-Lyndon to replace Snedden as NZC chair

Diana Puketapu-Lyndon will become the first female chair of New Zealand Cricket after Martin Snedden announced his retirement.

Former chief executive Snedden, who still has a year as a director on the Board, chose to step down as chairman to allow a smooth transition for Puketapu-Lyndon, saying it was “the right thing to do”.

Board member Roger Twose has also replaced Snedden’s NZC representative to the ICC, since late November.

He noted that since 2013, NZC has enjoyed a long period of sound and effective governance to support the management of NZC, and influential involvement at ICC level.

“I have no doubt that this will continue under Diana and Roger’s leadership,” he said.

Puketapu-Lyndon is chairman of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and a Chartered Accountant Fellow.

She brings a wealth of commercial and sports administration experience to the position, including two stints as chief financial officer of America’s Cup sailing campaigns, and one as director of the World Masters Games.

Other changes to the Board include the election of former Olympic cyclist Alison Shanks and former Chief Districts chairman Mike Devonshire as directors, with Rebecca Rolls choosing to step down on a rotational basis, and Puketapu-Lyndon and Anna Campbell elected according to rotation.

Despite the weather challenges last summer, NZC ended the year in a buoyant financial position, ending the financial year with a surplus of $10.7 million.

“After years of thin reserves, NZC is now rebuilding those to levels that will significantly protect our business and our members,” Snedden said.

“The financial result means that NZC is able to further increase contributions to Major Associations and community cricket, for the benefit of the game at all levels”.