Johnny Grave To Quit As CWI CEO in October 2024

Cricket West Indies has announced that Johnny Grave, who has held the role of CEO since February 2017, will be stepping down at the end of October 2024. Several significant cricket tournaments, including the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2022 Men’s U19 World Cup, and the forthcoming 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, were successfully hosted by the West Indies during his term.

Upon Michael Muirhead’s departure, former chairman Dave Cameron nominated Grave CEO of Cricket West Indies. Before this, Johnny Grave served as the marketing director for the Professional Cricketers’ Association in England for ten years. Grave’s commitment to and efforts on behalf of Caribbean cricket were praised by Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI. 

Johnny Grave’s Privileged Tenure

During his seven-year term, Jonny Grave greatly improved the board’s relationship with the players. “Being CEO of CWI since February 2017 has been an utter privilege. I do believe it is time for me and my family to look for a new challenge, having just wrapped off a successful T20 World Cup and producing sizable surpluses for CWI for the third year in a row, ” former CWI CEO stated. 

“I have given this position my all, and I believe that the time is now for someone new and invigorated to take the helm of the organization, carry on with this vital work, and strengthen the solid foundations already in place,” Johnny Grave said in his official statement. He significantly enhanced the board’s relationship with the players over his seven-year tenure. 

He recently assisted the CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that guarantees players specific time slots for the CPL and IPL competitions. The agreement also guarantees salary equity for women’s and men’s players by 2027. 

Johnny Grave created the biosecure cricket model, which allowed international cricket to resume in England, the West Indies, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, under the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Additionally, Johnny Grave played a key role in forging a strong alliance between the CWI, the CPL, and the franchises.

Progress Grave’s Leadership

Johnny Grave’s efforts have left a lasting impression on CWI, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic and the three World Cups he has successfully hosted: the Women’s World T20 in 2018, the Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2022, and most recently, the Men’s T20 World Cup. 

“I would want to thank him from the Board and everyone at CWI for his steadfast leadership and dedication over the past few years,” said Dr. Shallow. With a focus on an extensive and transparent selection process, CWI said that it will initiate a comprehensive hiring process to choose Johnny Grave’s replacement. Also, they added that information regarding the hiring procedure will shortly be made public on many media channels. CWI is prepared to implement the new strategic plan and usher in a new era of governance and eagerly anticipates embracing a new chapter in the organization’s history.