Johnny Grave's tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies (CWI) is set to conclude in October 2024. Grave, who took on the role in February 2017 after serving as the Commercial Director at England's Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) for nine years, will be seeking new challenges.
Reflecting on his time at CWI, Grave expressed in a press release that it had been an honour to serve as CEO since 2017. He mentioned that, following a successful T20 World Cup and three consecutive years of financial surpluses for CWI, he felt it was the right moment for him and his family to pursue new opportunities.
Grave acknowledged the immense support he received throughout his tenure, particularly from the staff and players, especially during the challenging period of the pandemic. He highlighted that he had given his all to the role and believed that it was now the right time for a new leader with fresh energy to take the organisation forward, building on the strong foundations already established.
Grave had succeeded Michael Muirhead in the CEO position and, during his leadership, oversaw the hosting of three World Cups in the West Indies: the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, and the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted with the USA. He also served as the CEO of the T20 World Cup held in June this year.
Earlier in 2023, Grave had voiced concerns to the ICC about the existing revenue-share model, describing it as "completely broken" and urged the boards of India, Australia, and England to collaborate with the ICC to reform the economics of Test cricket.
CWI President Kishore Shallow praised Grave’s contributions, particularly during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic and for successfully hosting three World Cups. He highlighted the acquisition and full ownership of the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), now the headquarters and home to the Men’s and Women’s Academies, as a significant achievement during Grave’s tenure.
The CWI also announced that a comprehensive recruitment process would soon begin to find the next CEO. The board stated their commitment to ensuring a thorough and transparent selection process, with further details to be shared through various media platforms to keep stakeholders informed.