Former pacer Geoff Allott named NZC CEO, takes charge July 1
Synopsis
New Zealand Cricket has turned to institutional memory: Geoff Allott, a former pacer with deep roots in NZC governance, is the new CEO. His dual expertise—playing pedigree, eight years as a board director, and commercial leadership—positions him to navigate a critical phase for Kiwi cricket as the sport confronts format fragmentation and global competition for player attention.
Key Takeaways
Geoff Allott , former BlackCaps pacer, named NZC CEO effective 1 July 2024 .
Allott played 10 Tests and 31 ODIs for New Zealand between 1996 and 2000 .
He served as NZC General Manager of Cricket from 2008 to 2010 and as a board director for eight years until 2021 .
He becomes the sixth CEO in NZC history, succeeding Scott Weenink , who stepped down in December 2023 .
NZC Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon cited his cricket expertise, institutional knowledge, and commercial leadership as key strengths.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on 28 April announced the appointment of Geoff Allott, a former BlackCaps seamer, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July. Allott, who represented New Zealand in 10 Tests and 31 ODIs between 1996 and 2000, brings nearly two decades of cricket administration experience and established connections across India and South Asia.
Allott's cricket and governance background
Beyond his playing career, Allott served as General Manager of Cricket at NZC from 2008 to 2010 and spent eight years as a board director before stepping down in 2021. He was among the founding members of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association in 2002 and sat on the Canterbury Cricket board from 2011 to 2013. His contributions earned him NZC Life Membership in 2022.
Leadership vision and priorities
Allott has pledged to strengthen relationships across all levels of the game and foster a collaborative culture.
Point of View
Eight years of board-level exposure, and South Asian connections address a real gap—New Zealand cricket's need to compete globally while managing domestic stakeholder expectations. Yet his tenure will be tested immediately: the sport faces format fragmentation, player burnout, and revenue pressure. Institutional knowledge alone won't solve structural challenges; execution will.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Geoff Allott and what was his playing career?
Geoff Allott is a former New Zealand pacer who represented the BlackCaps in 10 Tests and 31 ODIs between 1996 and 2000 . He has since held multiple roles in cricket governance and commercial business.
When does Geoff Allott take charge as NZC CEO?
Allott assumes office on 1 July 2024 . He replaces Scott Weenink , who stepped down in December 2023 .
What prior experience does Allott have in cricket administration?
Allott served as NZC General Manager of Cricket from 2008 to 2010 , was a founding member of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association in 2002 , sat on the Canterbury Cricket board from 2011 to 2013 , and spent eight years as an NZC board director before stepping down in 2021 .
Is Allott the first former player to lead NZC?
No. Allott is the sixth CEO in NZC history. Previous CEOs include Chris Doig , Martin Snedden , Justin Vaughan , and David White . His combination of playing background and administrative depth, however, is distinctive.
What are Allott's priorities as the new CEO?
Allott has emphasized unity, collaboration, and strengthening relationships across all levels of the game. He has also signalled commitment to women's and girls' cricket advancement, having supported Sarah Beaman's 2016 Women and Cricket Report during his board tenure.
