Reflections from our Chair

I have been asked to reflect on what I have seen, heard and learnt during the first three and a half months of my tenure as Chair of Lord’s Taverners, so here it is...

First and foremost, Lord’s Taverners is an amazing and inspiring community.

There are the young people for whom all our collective efforts are intended; young people whose lives truly are transformed by the cricket they play, the friends they make and the mentors they discover.

There are the paid employees who work tirelessly to develop and deliver impactful programmes, events and experiences, not just for those young people, but also for members, supporters and sponsors too. The whole team at Fivefields impress with their profound care for the work they do and the part they individually play in supporting young people facing challenge.

There are the volunteers who give their time, energy and expertise in different ways — from organising regional events that raise vital funds, to lending their professional skills and governance experience to ensure the charity is well-run and true to its mission. Their commitment underpins everything Lord’s Taverners is able to achieve.

There are the members, friends and celebrities who don their whites or get out their clubs to create moments and memories, or who support events, by taking part in raffles, gambling on heads or tails (or versions thereof), or bidding in silent and not so silent auctions.

There are the corporate partners and sponsors who turbo-charge our work through their financial support or by providing venues, experiences and opportunities.

And there is our President whose dedication to the charity, good humour and skilled raconteuring engages, bemuses and delights all those who meet him, connecting them to the charity and its purpose.

Lord’s Taverners is about all these people, all these different and diverse elements, combining to create something special. Lord’s Taverners lives the dynamism, enrichment and joy that comes from diversity. It has been inspiring and humbling to witness this community and its diversity in action — whether at a rainy evening session in the North West, where seven young people with disabilities lit up the night with their energy and joy, or at an extraordinary lunch celebrating Sir Stephen Fry in the Nursery Pavilion at Lord’s, surrounded by friends and appreciative supporters. From cricket matches to golf days, people have come together to do something special — and nothing is more powerful than hearing directly from our Youth Ambassadors, who bravely share their stories, show us what opportunity means for them, and look to their futures with ambition and optimism.

As the new Chair, I have had the privilege of meeting many who sit at the heart of Lord’s Taverners. With it being the charity’s 75^th anniversary, extraordinary work has been done by the organising committee led by David and Carol Robinson. Ever present, David and Carol embody the passion and belief in Lord’s Taverners that has seen it succeed over its 75 years. Lesley Williams is cut of this same, special cloth: hugely supportive of the charity and particularly passionate for table cricket, Lesley is a true advocate and generous supporter, attending events with energy and enthusiasm. There are many others who deserve mention and thanks.

For all the attendance at events, the job of the Chair is to lead the Board and support the CEO. In Mark Curtin, Lord’s Taverners has a dedicated and passionate CEO; and he in turn has a leadership team that share those same characteristics. In what has been a tremendously busy summer for everyone involved with Lord’s Taverners, Mark and his team have been present, ensuring events run smoothly, that guests are happy, that sponsors are well-looked after and that new members feel connected. They don’t do this alone of course: the culture of Lord’s Taverners is one of inclusion. Everyone has an important part to play and everyone matters.

It has been a pleasure to start to get to know the Trustees and I am really looking forward to working more closely with them to further strengthen our governance and oversight of Lord’s Taverners. The Trustees are another dedicated and committed group who want to see the Lord’s Taverners flourish and its impact deepen. My predecessor Tim Luckhurst oversaw several significant developments for the charity which have placed it in a strong position today: I am grateful to him for his supportive and thoughtful handover. Charities are facing significant challenges and Boards must provide strong, clear and effective governance. With that in mind, as you may have read earlier this week, I am delighted that Gordon Hollins has joined the Trustees having most recently been CEO of Somerset County Cricket Club. Prior to that, Gordon was Chief Operating Officer of the ECB with a wealth of knowledge throughout the game.

As I look ahead, I feel hugely encouraged by what I have seen and learnt in these first months. Lord’s Taverners has an extraordinary history, but it is the people and the purpose that make its future so exciting. Together, we can continue to transform lives, deepen our impact and share the joy that cricket and community bring. I am proud to be part of this journey and even more proud to be walking it alongside all of you.

Lucy Pearson