The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed Leah Poulton as its new Managing Director of England Women. The Australian former international is set to begin the role in November 2026, filling the position vacated by Clare Connor, who announced earlier this year that she would be stepping down following 18 years of service to the ECB.
Poulton arrives with a strong administrative record in elite women’s cricket. For the six years prior to this appointment, she served as Head of Elite Female Cricket at Cricket New South Wales, building high-performance structures at state level. Before that posting, she completed three years with Cricket Australia in a High Performance Coach capacity, working directly within the national programme.
Poulton will collaborate closely with England Women’s Head Coach Charlotte Edwards and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt as the programme targets a demanding international schedule ahead.
What did ECB chief executive Richard Gould say about the appointment?
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould offered a warm welcome to Poulton, pointing to England Women’s recent momentum as the backdrop for the new appointment.
“With the progress the team has made under Charlotte Edwards and having reached the final of this summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, England Women are well placed for a successful era. I’m delighted to welcome Leah on board to help us build on this and take us to the next level. She has a deep understanding of international cricket from her playing career and has built an impressive reputation in her time in administration. I believe she and Lottie will be a formidable combination, and will continue the team’s progress and development as we compete for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy and Women’s Ashes in 2027,” said Gould as quoted by ECB.
England Women did indeed reach the final of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and the Metro Bank Women’s Ashes are scheduled to be held on home soil in 2027, making the timing of this leadership transition particularly significant.
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How did Leah Poulton respond to her new role?
Poulton expressed genuine enthusiasm for the challenge ahead and paid tribute to the outgoing Connor.
“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be joining England, and to have the opportunity to help shape our programmes and, most importantly, invest in our people. I’m looking forward to working with Charlotte, Nat and the wider team, building on the strong foundations already in place and taking the programme forward. I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible contribution Clare Connor has made to England and to cricket around the world. She has played such an important role in advancing the game, and I’m grateful to be taking on a role she has shaped so significantly,” said Poulton.
“I know how vital strong pathways and a healthy domestic game are to sustained success, so I’m looking forward to connecting with people across the game and helping give the next generation of English players every opportunity to thrive. It’s a huge privilege to be part of England Women, and I can’t wait to get started,” she added.
Poulton’s appointment marks a significant moment for England Women as they prepare for a period that includes both the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy and the Women’s Ashes in 2027.
