[UPDATED] Shallow: Governance reform a defining moment for CWI

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has introduced term limits for the top positions of president and vice-president after a Special Meeting of members of CWI was held in Trinidad on February 9.

A CWI media release on February 10 said that "its full member shareholders have officially approved a historic set of governance reforms."

The full member shareholders who attended the meeting were the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), Guyana Cricket Board (GCA), Jamaica Cricket Association, Leeward Islands Cricket Board, TT Cricket Board (TTCB) and Windward Islands Cricket Board.

"At the forefront of these reforms is the introduction of a term limit of a maximum of three terms of three years each for the positions of president and vice-president."

The release said the change will allow CWI to benefit from more ideas.

"This critical change ensures fresh leadership opportunities, promotes continuity while preventing stagnation, and aligns CWI’s governance framework with modern best practices."

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow hailed the passage of these reforms as a landmark achievement.

“Today marks a defining moment for CWI. With the implementation of long-overdue term limits and critical governance reforms, we are taking a bold and uncompromising step toward stronger, more transparent, and accountable leadership. For years, governance has been at the heart of regional debate, with stakeholders demanding change. This is not just reform; it is a necessary transformation that will ensure CWI is led with integrity, vision, and responsibility."

The governance reform process has been a strategic priority for CWI, undergoing extensive discussions and consultations over the past few years, including insights from the Wehby Report.

There will also be an adjustment to the length of time the president and vice-president will serve a term.

"Additionally, the reforms include the increase of the term of the president and vice-president from two years to three years," the CWI release said. "This change will take effect from the next presidential and vice-presidential election, which is due in March 2025."

Another change will be having more parity among genders as more women independent directors will be appointed to the board to "enhance gender representation in decision-making, ensuring a broader range of expertise and perspectives."

Shallow said not all the territorial boards agreed with the changes, but the board is a collective force with similar goals.

“For decades, I have championed term limits in leadership, ensuring fresh ideas and new energy at the helm. I fought for this principle as president of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Windward Islands Cricket Board, and I stand by it today. While the decision was not unanimous, there is no division in CWI. Every territorial board stands united in one common purpose – to strengthen our organisation, uphold transparency and secure a brighter future for West Indies cricket. We move forward together, committed to the growth and success of the game we all love.”

The GCA and the BCA have not attended multiple CWI meetings in the last few years. The Guyana and Barbados cricket boards did not attend the last meeting scheduled for December 6 to discuss governance reform.

President of the TTCB Azim Bassarath, who is also the CWI vice-president, was among those who attended the meeting.

Changes in the board and leadership structure:

*Introduction of term limits for the president and vice-president

*Extension of the president and vice-president's term from two to three years.

*The appointment of more female independent directors to the board to enhance gender representation in decision-making, ensuring a broader range of expertise and perspectives.

*Implementation of a strategic governance committee.

*Reduction in the number and size of committees.

*Increased involvement of independent committee members.

*Implementation of more robust recruitment and selection processes to ensure the most qualified candidates fill key positions within the organisation.

Ethical and compliance measures:

*Centralised the ethics and disciplinary functions to one independently chaired Integrity & Dispute Resolutions Committee.

*Strengthened financial reporting and disclosure requirements for greater accountability.

*Public release of an annual report consistently for the past four years, ensuring transparency and accessibility of key organizational activities and strategic priorities.

*Public release of annual audited financial statements, reinforcing financial accountability, demonstrating fiscal responsibility, and building trust among stakeholders.

Financial oversight and risk management:

*Establishment of an Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee to enhance financial oversight and transparency.

*Employment of an Audit, Risk & Compliance Manager/Chief Audit Executive.

*Restructuring of the CWI Finance Department.

*Implementation of recommendation of a Business Situation Assessment & Financial Review

Gender equality and women’s cricket development:

*Introduction of business-class travel for the West Indies Senior Women’s team for all long-haul international flights.

*Single-room accommodations for the West Indies Senior Women’s team on all international assignments, aligning with the men’s policy.

*Establishment of the Women’s Cricket Transformation Committee to develop strategies for increasing female participation and strengthening the women’s game.

*Greater investment in the High-Performance pathway for women’s cricket, including the launch of a West Indies Women’s Academy programme.

This story was originally published with the title "CWI introduces term limits for president, VP" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has introduced term limits for the top positions of president and vice-president after a Special Meeting of members of CWI was held in Trinidad on February 9.

A CWI media release on February 10 said that "its full member shareholders have officially approved a historic set of governance reforms."

"At the forefront of these reforms is the introduction of a term limit of a maximum of three terms of three years each for the positions of president and vice-president."

The release said the change will allow CWI to benefit from more ideas.

"This critical change ensures fresh leadership opportunities, promotes continuity while preventing stagnation, and aligns CWI’s governance framework with modern best practices."

There will also be an adjustment to the length of time the president and vice-president will serve a term.

"Additionally, the reforms include the increase of the term of the president and vice-president from two years to three years. This change will take effect from the next presidential and vice-presidential election, which is due in March 2025."

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow hailed the passage of these reforms as a landmark achievement.

“Today marks a defining moment for Cricket West Indies. With the implementation of long-overdue term limits and critical governance reforms, we are taking a bold and uncompromising step toward stronger, more transparent, and accountable leadership. For years, governance has been at the heart of regional debate, with stakeholders demanding change. This is not just reform; it is a necessary transformation that will ensure Cricket West Indies is led with integrity, vision, and responsibility."

The governance reform process has been a strategic priority for CWI, undergoing extensive discussions and consultations over the past few years, including insights from the Wehby Report.

Another change will be having more parity among genders as more women independent directors will be appoined to the board to "enhance gender representation in decision-making, ensuring a broader range of expertise and perspectives."

President of the TT Cricket Board Azim Bassarath, who is also the CWI vice-president, was among those who attended the meeting.

Changes in the board and leadership structure:

• Introduction of term limits for the president and vice-president
• Extension of the president and vice-president's term from two to three years.
• The appointment of more female independent directors to the board to enhance gender representation in decision-making, ensuring a broader range of expertise and perspectives.
• Implementation of a strategic governance committee.
• Reduction in the number and size of committees.
• Increased involvement of independent committee members.
• Implementation of more robust recruitment and selection processes to ensure the most qualified candidates fill key positions within the organisation.