Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday, December 16, 2024, announced its appointment of Chris Dehring as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Describing Dehring as “a visionary leader with an extraordinary track record in finance, sports management, media, and telecommunications”, CWI said the new CEO “is uniquely positioned to steer CWI into a bold new chapter of growth and development”.

The regional cricketing authority selected the administrator from a pool of over 50 applicants from Europe, Australia, Afghanistan, India, and the Caribbean. To this end, it noted that Dehring’s appointment “is the culmination of a meticulous, meritocratic process which included independent experts” who are committed to attracting top-tier talent to lead West Indies cricket.

For CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow, the appointment is in line with the organisation’s objective of recruiting exceptional leadership to drive the mission of the sporting authority.

“Chris Dehring represents the best of the best—an innovator, strategist, business magnate and passionate advocate for West Indies cricket. His return as an executive at West Indies cricket signals the dawn of an exciting new era as we work to reclaim our position as a dominant force in world cricket,” Shallow said, heaping praises on the new CEO.

Dehring is known to be a pioneer in the Caribbean, having founded SportsMax, the Caribbean’s first sports television broadcaster. The media house revolutionised the region’s media landscape by showcasing global events such as the FIFA World Cup and the NBA.

He also co-founded Jamaica’s first investment bank, Dehring, Bunting & Golding, which became a financial powerhouse and was eventually acquired by Scotiabank Jamaica.

Dehring’s entrepreneurial achievements also include establishing ReadyTV, Jamaica’s first digital broadcast television service, and ReadyNET, the country’s first satellite internet provider.

In telecommunications, Dehring’s leadership at Cable & Wireless Communications was transformative. He served as a member of the Senior Executive Global Leadership Team responsible for US$3.5 billion in annual revenues while spearheading innovative digital content delivery and expanded access to advanced telecommunications services across the Caribbean and Latin America. His ability to seamlessly integrate commercial strategy with technological advancement has earned him international respect.

In his earlier tenure with CWI, Dehring cemented his legacy as a game-changer for West Indies cricket. As managing director and CEO of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, he delivered one of the most complex and successful multi-nation sporting events in the Caribbean’s history. His leadership resulted in the construction of ten state-of-the-art stadia and the introduction of groundbreaking fan experiences such as The Mound party stand at Sabina Park.

Under his leadership, CWI also implemented development programmes like the Shell Cricket Academy and Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket.

With Dehring at the helm of ICC Cricket World 2007, the tournament achieved record-breaking revenues and global viewership, enhancing the Caribbean’s reputation as a world-class cricketing destination.

 “West Indies cricket has always held a special place in my heart. As a unifying force and a symbol of pride for our region, I am honoured to return to an organisation that holds great significance to our people. Together with the CWI team and stakeholders, I am committed to driving innovation, fostering talent, and reigniting the passion for West Indies cricket, both at home and globally,” Dehring remarked on the appointment, which he officially assumes on February 1, 2025. The CEO will be based at Cricket West Indies’ headquarters at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, where he will lead the organisation’s strategic vision and operational objectives.