Marylebone Cricket Club has recently made headlines as they have dismissed their head of ticketing, Simon Wakefield, for misconduct. Wakefield was found guilty of misappropriating complimentary tickets for personal gain and falsifying records, leading to his immediate dismissal for gross misconduct.
The investigation into Wakefield’s actions began after anomalies in the ticket records for major matches were identified in March 2024. The club, with the support of external solicitors, conducted a thorough investigation which revealed Wakefield’s involvement in the misconduct. He admitted to the allegations and was subsequently let go from his position.
The club’s outgoing chief executive, Guy Lavender, addressed the matter in a letter to members, assuring them that the value of the misappropriated tickets has been returned to the club through a financial settlement. This resolution avoided a lengthy and costly legal process and ensured the recovery of the funds involved. The investigation found no evidence of other employees being involved in the misconduct.
Despite this setback, MCC is undergoing a period of transition with Lavender set to leave his role in December to become the CEO of Cheltenham racecourse. The club is currently searching for a replacement for Lavender, while Mervyn King has recently taken over as president and Mark Nicholas has moved to the role of chairman.
In addition to these changes, the club has also been involved in discussions regarding its participation in the Hundred. MCC is set to receive a 51% stake in the Lord’s franchise London Spirit as part of the league’s expansion. A special general meeting was held to determine whether the club should accept this gift, with the decision expected to be confirmed next week.
Overall, the misconduct by the head of ticketing has been addressed and resolved by MCC, allowing the club to move forward with its leadership changes and continued involvement in the world of cricket.
