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Essex County Cricket Club have made history by appointing Rachel Lewis as their first female Chair of the Board in their 150-year history. This comes after Jason Gallian stepped down from the role, having taken over the position on an interim basis last year.

Lewis has been closely associated with the county, having served as Chair of Essex Cricket in the Community for the past three years, during which she championed engagement and inclusivity across the cricketing fraternity. This is a landmark moment in the club's history, celebrating their 150th anniversary, having formed all the way back in 1876. 

It is worth noting that Lewis is a former professional volleyball player who represented Team GB during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Great Britain, however, finished fifth in Pool A with just one victory under their belt. 

“It is an immense honour to be appointed Chair of Essex County Cricket Club, particularly in this, our 150th year. This Club has a proud heritage, and I am excited to build on that foundation as we embark on a critical new chapter. With the redevelopment of our ground and both our teams competing at the highest level, we have a tremendous opportunity to drive Essex Cricket forward. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to working with the Board, our players, staff, and members to ensure continued success," Rachel Lewis said on Essex's official website.

In their historical year, both Essex Men's and Women's find themselves competing in the top tier of domestic cricket. The Men's side are currently sixth in the County Championship Division One standings, having amassed 105 points from eight games. They also reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 T20 Blast, where they eventually lost to Hampshire in Southampton. 

The Women's team were one of the eight founding members of the revamped Tier 1 system which commenced in 2025. They finished the T20 Blast Women's in fifth place and currently find themselves at the foot of the standings in the 2026 Women's One Day Cup.