We are delighted to be joined at the event with a panel of inspirational speakers, who bring with them a wealth of experience in the world of cricket or business- as well as bringing their passion for inclusivity.
OUR HOST:
Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE- a World Cup Winning Cricketer, Broadcaster, Motivational Speaker and Performance Coach
Ebony is a former English Cricketer and was a member of the England Team that won the 9th ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in Sydney 2009. IN the three months following their World Cup win, the team went on to win: the ICC Women's World Twenty20, the Natwest One Day Series and retained the Ashes. During her playing career, she was also captain of the Surrey women's team.
Sicne retiring from sport, Ebony has gone on to a career in the media incuding becoming a broadcaster and commentator for the flagship BBC programme 'Test Match Special' & in 2020 she joined the Sky Sports cricket commentary team.
Ebony also runs a podcast called 'The Art of Success' where she sits down with high performers from various fields to unpick tools and strategies for success.
In 2015 Ebony returned to Surrey County Cricket Club, after being appointed their first Director of Women's Cricket. She is also an ambassador for Beyond Sport & chair of the ACE programmes newly formed charity in 2020.
Ebony has recently been made MBE for her services to cricket and chairty.
OUR SPEAKERS:
Katie Bickerstaffe - Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, ECB
Katie Bickerstaffe joined the ECB's Board in September 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. She has extensive experience managing and transforming businesses and is currently co-CEO of Marks and Spencer PLC while also serving on their board and operating committee as an executive director. She is additionally a Non executive director of Barratt Developments PLC and the Remuneration Committee chair. Previously she was Executive Chair of SSE Energy Services (part of SSE Plc). Prior to this she was Chief Executive of Dixons Carphone Plc (UK and Ireland), having previously worked with many leading global companies including PepsiCo, Unilever and Dyson. A keen sportsperson, she is passionate about growing cricket, particularly the women's and girls’ game and continues to play cricket at her local club.
Leigh Burns- Founder and CEO, Lacuna Sports Ltd
Leigh Burns is the founder and CEO of Lacuna Sports Ltd, a women’s performance cricketwear company created to address the massive gap in the market for female cricketers. Starting in 2019, Leigh identified this gap from the experience of her teenage daughter, excelling at the sport yet being forced to wear ill-fitting clothes made for boys or men. 5 years on, Lacuna has gained a passionate following and is one of the pioneering young British brands shaping the future of inclusive sportswear.
Prior to launching Lacuna Sports, Leigh had a long corporate career in global healthcare management. She spent the 10 years prior to Lacuna Sports at International SOS, a global travel risk management and assistance company,
holding various executive commercial and strategic roles serving complex, multi-cultural environments around the world.
Leigh holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and Strategy from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she can be seen on the side of cricket pitches around the country or tootling around in her electric car, delivering cricket kit to excited teams!
Katie Holland- Lord's Taverners Youth Engagement Co-ordinator
Katies current role with the Lord’s Taverners is to lead on female engagement. This is through promoting programmes to underrepresented female by breaking down barriers to enable more girls to feel like cricket is the place for them. Katie has undertaken extensive research to fully understand and alleviate challenges women and girls face to ensure nothing can stop the benefits of sport.
Katie Holland started her love for sport at a young age, facing the same barriers young girls are still facing today. Often undertaking sport with her male counterparts where girls only options weren’t available. Katie went on to study Sports and Social Science and Bath University where she gained First Degree Honours. Since completing her degree, she has utilised her knowledge into breaking down social and economic barriers working with young people to tackle these issues head on and to create truly inclusive environment where the impact of sport can and has changed children’s lives.
Katie is passionate about creating more inclusive opportunities and embedding the female and youth voice at the heart of all decision-making ensuring programmes are created that suit the needs of women & girls of all abilities and backgrounds.
