Yorkshire chair Lord Kamlesh Patel set to stand down

Lord Kamlesh Patel has announced he will step down as Yorkshire chair at the club's next Annual General Meeting in March.Lord Patel, who took over from Roger Hutton in November 2021 at the height of the club's racism crisis, endured a turbulent tenure that began amid the suspension of Headingley's international hosting rights and the withdrawal of a raft of sponsors that left the club facing bankruptcy.His response to that crisis included sanctioning the sacking of Yorkshire's entire backroom staff in the wake of Azeem Rafiq's allegations of institutional racism - a move that continues to be contested by the affected parties.However, despite enduring significant opposition from within the club membership - notably from a group led by the former chair, Robin Smith - Patel instigated a series of reforms during his tenure that focused on equality, diversity and inclusion, such as improved processes for whistleblowers to report discrimination.By reducing cost barriers within Yorkshire's Pathway programme - including free kit and coaching for boy's and girl's regional cricket - the club has also seen an upturn in participation and diversity on his watch.He also oversaw changes to the club's governance that ensuredtheir right to host England matches was restored."It has been an honour and a privilege to work for such a prestigious organisation," Patel said in a statement issued by Yorkshire. "I have made the difficult decision to step aside at the next AGM and enable the club to continue on its important journey of change under a new chair."I would like to thank those members who have been hugely supportive of the changes that the board have introduced at Headingley. I would also like to thank the staff and board members who have all worked tirelessly during what has been a transformational period in Yorkshire's history."There is still much for the club to do, but I have the strongest faith that Yorkshire will be back at the pinnacle of English cricket for the long-term."Further measures undertaken during Patel's tenur