MICHAEL Barber, now Lord Barber, has stepped down from his role as chair of Somerset County Cricket Club - with immediate effect.

He took on the role in 2022 and during his time at the helm the men’s team have lifted the Vitality Blast trophy twice and the club has also seen the introduction of a professional women’s team.

Throughout his tenure he has worked closely with the club’s Executive Board to ensure that Somerset CCC remains at the top table of the domestic game.

The founder and first head of the UK Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, he was also the Founder and Chair of Delivery Associates, which has worked with government leaders across the developing and developed world to enable them to deliver their domestic policy priorities. He received a knighthood in 2005 and was elevated to the House of Lords in January this year.

Lord Barber said: “My new responsibilities in the Lords make it impossible for me to carry on as chair of Somerset Cricket.

“I have loved every minute of my four years, and the board has never been stronger and we have a good succession plan in place. In Jamie Cox we have a fantastic CEO.

“We have strong relationships in the region and with the ECB and finished last year with a budget in surplus and ambitious plans for the future. Our digital presence leads the way in cricket and our venue, the Cooper’s Associates County Ground, is repeatedly chosen as the venue with the best atmosphere.

“We have also seen a historic development; the establishment of a Tier One Somerset Women’s team, now with an exciting new coach, Erin Osborne. “Meanwhile, on the field we have seen real success over those four years, winning the Vitality Blast twice, and reaching Finals Day every year. We also reached a Final of the One-Day Cup.