The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Stephen Atkin, currently with the British Horseracing Board (BHB), as its new Finance Director.

Atkin, who has been BHB Finance Director for four years, will replace Cliff Barker who after 13 years as Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive of the ECB (formerly TCCB) is stepping down to pursue a new career in teaching.

Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the ECB, said: ``I am delighted that Stephen will be joining the ECB. He will bring a wide variety of skills with him, not only financial, but also strategic and commercial and I am sure the game of cricket will benefit enormously from his experience.''

``The Board is immensely grateful for the contribution made by Cliff Barker, particularly in the areas of Finance and Development. He has an intimate knowledge of cricket in this country and has done a great deal to further the progress of the ECB since its formation two and a half years ago. He will be sorely missed.''

Stephen Atkin (41), who will join the ECB in November this year, started his career with Finnie Ross Wild & Co in 1977 and was a Qualified Audit Senior when he left in 1982. He became an Assistant Audit Manager with Coopers and Lybrand, before moving to Hampton Gold Mining Areas PLC as Deputy Group Financial Controller in 1983.

In 1986 he became Group Finance Director and Company Secretary for King-Wilkinson Inc, a multi-national project manager and contractor, and then joined R E A Bott Ltd - a contractor to the food retail trade - as Finance Director and Company Secretary, where he worked between 1990 and 1995.

His role at the BHB has included leading the Industry's negotiating team which secured renewal by HM Customs of the VAT Scheme for Racehorse Owners; the introduction of a comprehensive budgeting and management reporting system and the co-authorship of 'The Financial Plan for British Racing', which was published and submitted to the Government in January 1998.

Stephen lives in Hertfordshire and his interests include watching cricket, playing golf, reading and music.

For further information contact:

ECB Corporate Affairs - 0171 432 1200