Lady Kingsdown OBE to be Kent President in 2015

Rose Leigh-Pemberton, Lady Kingsdown OBE has been appointed Kent Cricket’s President elect for 2015.

The 2015 President elect, a Club Member for several decades, will be the first female figurehead in the club's 145-year history.

Lady Kingsdown, the wife of former Kent Cricket President and Bank of England governor Lord Kingsdown, said: “I am honoured and delighted by this appointment.

“Kent Cricket has been an important part of my life ever since I became engaged to my late husband nearly 62 years ago now.

“To be President of Kent is the next greatest honour to being given the OBE by the Queen.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would hold this post and I will do my utmost to uphold all the fine traditions of the Club at the same time endeavouring to be sure that we move with the times.

“We are in exciting times with many good young homegrown players and our women’s team a beacon in the game.”

The mother-of-four lives on the family’s estate near Sittingbourne and is a vice-president of Kent Cricket official charity Demelza Hospice.

Looking ahead to an exciting 2015 programme which includes the visit of both Australia men’s and women’s squads to Canterbury, Lady Kingsdown hopes the first televised Women’s Test will boost a burgeoning crop of young female talent.

The new President said: “I am optimistic about the growth of the women’s game with Kent and England at the forefront and I am thrilled that in my year as President we shall be hosting the Women’s Ashes Test.

“What an opportunity to showcase the women’s game and I feel it will be a wonderful chance for me to show that male or female, we all have the game of cricket at heart, and as much pleasure can be gained from watching both teams.”

Outgoing President Graham Johnson, former all-rounder and Kent’s current chairman of cricket, said: “In the 145 years since Kent was formed in 1870, 130 Presidents have served Kent Cricket and so for 2015 it is particularly pleasing to welcome Rose Kingsdown, as our first female President in these exciting times.

“She cherishes all that is best about our cricket heritage as well as having a desire to see Kent Cricket develop to meet the opportunities the future presents.

“Above all she is a genuine Kent Cricket enthusiast and cricket fan. All in all a most appropriate person to have as our President in 2015, who we hope will thoroughly enjoy her year and see success for Kent across the board.”

The appointment of the President will be formally made at the Kent Cricket Annual General Meeting, scheduled for spring 2015.

RECENT PRESIDENTS

2005 Richard Collins

2006 Derek Underwood MBE

2007 George Kennedy CBE

2008 Peter Morgan

2009 Carl Openshaw

2010 Alister Dunning DL

2011 John Shepherd

2012 Mike Denness OBE

2013 Bob Bevan MBE

2014 Graham Johnson