The European Central Bank appoints Ed Barney as Director of Men’s Performance. The 41-year-old held a similar role in England and Great Britain hockey where he oversaw Olympic, Commonwealth and European success. Barney succeeds Mo Popat, who will soon join Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League as Director of Cricket.
16:14 UK time, Wednesday 20 December 2023
The England and Wales Cricket Board has appointed Ed Barney as its new director of men’s performance as the 41-year-old moves from a similar role in hockey.
Barney will succeed Mo Popat who will become the Indian Premier League’s director of cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore, in March.
Barney previously worked with the ECB in talent identification between 2010 and 2013, while since joining England and Great Britain Hockey he has overseen a period of success.
The England women’s team won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, while the British women’s team won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The England men’s national team reached third place in the world rankings for the first time in 20 years before claiming silver at the European Championships, their first medal at that level in 14 years.
Barney said: “The opportunity to return to the ECB was an opportunity I could not pass up.
“I look forward to building on the lot of exceptional work that exists, while ensuring that the quality of our offering supports the most talented players to achieve their potential, excel on the world stage and inspire the nation about all that cricket has to offer.
“It has been a real honor to lead the England and Great Britain Hockey Performance Team over the past seven years. It has been very special to see so many junior teams making their way through, while the senior programs have excelled on the world stage with European club, Commonwealth Games and Olympic medals.” “
Rob Key, Managing Director of Men’s Cricket at the ECB, said: “The Men’s Performance Director plays a vital role as we continually look to increase the depth of talent and prepare players for the rigors of international cricket.
“What is clear for Ed is that he has been able to do this at England and Great Britain Hockey, where he has built world-class programs that have left them in a better place than when he started, while his experience with the ECB leaves him ready – built to build on “The important work we’ve already done.”