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{{Short description|English businessman and cricket administrator}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| honorific-prefix =
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| smallimage = <!--If this is specified, "image" should not be.-->
| smallimage = <!--If this is specified, "image" should not be.-->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Clarke at [[Trent Bridge]] June 2009
| caption = Clarke at [[Trent Bridge]] in 2009
| order =
| order =
| office = Chairman of the [[England and Wales Cricket Board]]
| office = Chairman<br> [[England and Wales Cricket Board]]
| term_start = 2007
| term_start = 2007
| term_end = 2015
| term_end = 2015
| predecessor =
| predecessor = [[David Morgan (cricket administrator)|David Morgan]]
| successor = [[Colin Graves]]
| successor = [[Colin Graves]]
<!-- Personal -->
<!-- Personal -->
| birth_name = Charles Giles Clarke
| birth_name = Charles Giles Clarke
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|5|29|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|5|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bristol]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/312637.html Bio at CricInfo]</ref>
| birth_place = [[Bristol]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/giles-clarke-312637|title=Giles Clarke profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos|website=ESPNcricinfo|accessdate=30 June 2021}}</ref>
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_place =
| death_place =
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| resting_place =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| citizenship = United Kingdom
| citizenship =
| nationality = English
| nationality = [[UK|British]]
| party =
| party =
| spouse = Judy
| spouse = Judy ''née'' Gould (m. 1983)
| children = One
| children = 1 son
| education = [[Rugby School]]
| education = [[Rugby School]]
| alma_mater = [[Oriel College, Oxford]]
| alma_mater = [[Oriel College, Oxford]]
| occupation =
| occupation =
| profession = Businessman
| profession = Businessman
| awards = [[File:Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.png|40px]] [[CBE]]
}}
}}
'''Charles Giles Clarke''' {{Post-nominals|country=UK|CBE}} (born 29 May 1953) is an English businessman and [[cricket]] administrator, and former chairman of the [[England and Wales Cricket Board]].
'''Charles Giles Clarke''' {{Post-nominals|country=UK|CBE|DL}} (born 29 May 1953), is a British businessman then [[cricket]] [[Sport management|administrator]], who was chairman of the [[England and Wales Cricket Board]].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Born at [[Bristol]], son of Charles Clarke and Stella ''née'' Herbert {{Post-nominals|country=UK|JP|DL}} ([[Lord Lieutenant of Bristol|Vice-Lieutenant of Bristol]] 2004–07), Clarke attended [[Rugby School]], before going to [[Oriel College, Oxford]].
⚫
Born in [[Bristol]], Clarke was educated at [[Rugby School]]. He then studied at [[Oriel College, Oxford]] where he graduated with an [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|MA]] in [[Persian language|Persian]] with [[Arabic (language)|Arabic]]; reportedly he paid his way by gambling.<ref name="Times1">[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article2532690.ece The incoming chairman of the ECB promises to be more controversial, more decisive and far more outspoken], ''The Times'', 26 September 2007</ref> He then spent a year at the [[University of Damascus]] Arabic language school.<ref name="EQT">[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090306024011/http://www.setsquared.co.uk/pics%5Cembedded_documents%5C071004%20BEN%20Question%20Time%20Poster.pdf Entrepreneurs Question Time] SetSquared – 4 October 2007</ref>

⚫
At [[Oxford University|Oxford]], Clarke studied Persian with Arabic, reputedly paying his way through gambling, before graduating as [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] (''proceeding'' [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|MA]]).<ref name="Times1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524030822/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article2532690.ece The incoming chairman of the ECB promises to be more controversial, more decisive and far more outspoken], ''The Times'', 26 September 2007</ref> He then pursued further studies for a year at [[Damascus University]] [[Arabic language school]].<ref name="EQT">[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090306024011/http://www.setsquared.co.uk/pics%5Cembedded_documents%5C071004%20BEN%20Question%20Time%20Poster.pdf Entrepreneurs Question Time] SetSquared – 4 October 2007</ref>


==Business career==
==Business career==
Clarke began his career as an [[investment banker]] with [[Credit Suisse First Boston]]. In 1981 he bought from receivership the assets of what was to become [[Majestic Wine]],<ref name="LSC">[http://www.lsc.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/councilmembers/C_Giles_Clarke.htm About Us: National Council – C Giles Clarke] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225204322/http://www.lsc.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/councilmembers/C_Giles_Clarke.htm |date=25 February 2009 }} Learning & Skills Council</ref> where, as chairman, he built it into a UK national chain. From August 1987 to May 1988, Clarke was chairman of Majestic Wine Corporation Inc, a United States company which owned a chain of 104 stores trading as [[Liquor Barn]] in California and [[Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.digitallook.com/news/rns/166762-24874/SVO-Directorate_Change.html tecc-IS plc – Directorate Change] digitallook.com – 12 December 2003</ref> Following disposal of the US based businesses, he sold the UK plc business of Majestic Wines for £15 million in 1989.
Clarke began his career as an [[investment banker]] with [[Credit Suisse First Boston]]. In 1981 he bought from [[receivership]] the assets of what was to become [[Majestic Wine]],<ref name="LSC">[http://www.lsc.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/councilmembers/C_Giles_Clarke.htm About Us: National Council – C Giles Clarke] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225204322/http://www.lsc.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/councilmembers/C_Giles_Clarke.htm |date=25 February 2009 }} Learning & Skills Council</ref> where, as chairman, he built it into a UK national chain. From August 1987 to May 1988, Clarke was chairman of Majestic Wine Corporation Inc, a United States company which owned a chain of 104 stores trading as [[Gopuff|Liquor Barn]] in [[California]] and [[Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.digitallook.com/news/rns/166762-24874/SVO-Directorate_Change.html tecc-IS plc – Directorate Change] digitallook.com – 12 December 2003</ref> Following the disposal of its US-based businesses, he sold the UK plc business of Majestic Wine for £15 million in 1989.<ref>[https://www.majestic.co.uk/ www.majestic.co.uk]</ref>


In 1990, Clarke founded [[Pet City]], where, as CEO, he built it into a chain of 94 stores (also dressing up at Christmas in the Swindon Store). After making the business public in 1995, he sold the business for £150 million in 1996 to US based [[PetsMart]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990224/ai_n14210773 How to lose a fortune in two years] Independent – 24 February 1999</ref> In 1998, Clarke founded [[Safestore]], building it into the UK's third largest [[self storage]] company, selling it to [[Bridgepoint Capital]] for £44million in August 2003.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030822/ai_n12707844 Soros makes a loss in Safestore's £40m management buyout] Independent – 22 August 2003</ref>
In 1990, Clarke founded [[Pets at Home|Pet City]], where, as CEO, he built it into a chain of 94 stores. After [[Public offering|floating]] the business in 1995, he sold it for £150 million in 1996 to US-based [[PetsMart]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/how-to-lose-a-fortune-in-two-years-1072820.html www.independent.co.uk]</ref> In 1998, Clarke founded [[Safestore]], building it into the UK's third largest [[self storage]] company before selling it to [[Bridgepoint Capital]] for £44million in August 2003.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030822/ai_n12707844 Soros makes a loss in Safestore's £40m management buyout] Independent – 22 August 2003</ref>
In 1999 Mr Clarke became CEO of Stepstone,<ref>http://specials.ft.com/ftit/march2001/FT336FDYWJC.html</ref> an online career portal. Since he came on board, the company has raised NKr1.8bn ($197m) from the IPO in 2000 and grew from four countries and 200 employees to a staff of 1,385 in 18 countries.
In 1999, Clarke became CEO of [[Axel Springer SE|Stepstone]],<ref>http://specials.ft.com/ftit/march2001/FT336FDYWJC.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124135139/http://specials.ft.com/ftit/march2001/FT336FDYWJC.html |date=24 January 2009 }}</ref> an online career portal.


Clarke is currently Chairman and controlling shareholder, via his company Westleigh Investments, of:
Clarke is chairman and controlling shareholder, via his company Westleigh Investments,<ref>[https://westleighuk.com/ westleighuk.com]</ref> of:
*[[ATL Telecom]] – [[Cardiff]] based data transmission design equipment company, which manufactures in China<ref>[http://www.atltelecom.com/?pid=205&nid=45 ATL Telecom announces £20 million 3 year contract to provide enhancements to BT’s KiloStream network] ATL Telecom</ref><ref>[http://www.cto-ict.org/index.php?dir=04&sd=30&aid=1161 Interview with Giles Clarke – West Country Financier and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ATL Telecom Ltd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819160413/http://www.cto-ict.org/index.php?dir=04&sd=30&aid=1161 |date=19 August 2007 }} Commonwealth Government & Business Guide to Information and Communication Technology</ref>
*ATL Telecom – [[Cardiff]]-based data transmission design equipment company, which manufactures in China<ref>[http://www.atltelecom.com/?pid=205&nid=45 ATL Telecom announces £20 million 3 year contract to provide enhancements to BT’s KiloStream network] ATL Telecom</ref><ref>[http://www.cto-ict.org/index.php?dir=04&sd=30&aid=1161 Interview with Giles Clarke – West Country Financier and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ATL Telecom Ltd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819160413/http://www.cto-ict.org/index.php?dir=04&sd=30&aid=1161 |date=19 August 2007 }} Commonwealth Government & Business Guide to Information and Communication Technology</ref>
*[[Fosters Event Catering]] – a West Country-based independent caterer<ref>[http://fostersevents.co.uk/wings.htm Fosters spread the word and their Wings] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513152126/http://www.fostersevents.co.uk/wings.htm |date=13 May 2008 }} Fosters Catering – 14 February 2007</ref>
*Fosters Event Catering – a West Country-based caterer<ref>[http://fostersevents.co.uk/wings.htm Fosters spread the word and their Wings] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513152126/http://www.fostersevents.co.uk/wings.htm |date=13 May 2008 }} Fosters Catering – 14 February 2007</ref>
*[[CCI International]] – the UK's largest [[Clay pigeon shooting|clay pigeon]] equipment manufacturer<ref>[http://www.cci-international.com/english__/aboutcci_.htm About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731090938/http://www.cci-international.com/english__/aboutcci_.htm |date=31 July 2007 }} CCI International</ref>
*CCI International – the UK's largest [[Clay pigeon shooting|clay pigeon]] [[equipment]] manufacturer<ref>[http://www.cci-international.com/english__/aboutcci_.htm About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731090938/http://www.cci-international.com/english__/aboutcci_.htm |date=31 July 2007 }} CCI International</ref>
*West Country Business Systems – develops software systems for managing independent schools.
*West Country Business Systems – develops software systems for managing independent schools;<ref>[https://www.wcbs.co.uk/ www.wcbs.co.uk]</ref>
*Boston Tea Party – a West Country-based chain of coffee shops
⚫
*Clarke is the non-executive deputy chairman of Pure Wafer plc – presently the only European based silicon chip test wafer reclaim company<ref>[http://www.purewafer.com/corp_management.html About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122043937/http://www.purewafer.com/corp_management.html |date=22 November 2007 }} Pure Wafer plc</ref>


And previously:
Clarke is also Chairman of oil and gas explorer Amerisur Resources PLC (formerly known as [[Amerisur Resources|Chaco Resources]],<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/05/21/cxmktrep121.xml Market profile – Energised: Giles Clarke] The Telegraph – 21 May 2007</ref> )
⚫
*Non-executive chairman of Pure Wafer plc – presently the only European-based [[Wafer testing|silicon chip test wafer reclaim]] company<ref>[http://www.purewafer.com/corp_management.html Pure Wafer plc]</ref>
*Chairman of [[Geopark|Amerisur Resources PLC]] (formerly known as Chaco Resources).<ref>[https://www.abcolombia.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Giving_it_Away_mining_report_ABColombia-2012-ENG.pdf www.abcolombia.org.uk]</ref>


==Public service==
==Public service==
Giles Clarke has served with the following public bodies:
Clarke has been appointed to the following [[Non-departmental public body|public bodies]]:
*2002–2007 As a National Council member of the [[Learning and Skills Council]], the largest [[quango]] in the UK with a budget of £10 billion, responsible for all UK adult learning.<ref name="LSC"/> and a member of the [[Adult Learning Committee]], a statutory body set up by the [[UK Parliament]].
*National Council member of the [[Learning and Skills Council]] (2002–07), the largest [[quango]] in the UK with a budget of £10 billion, responsible for all UK adult learning,<ref name="LSC"/> and a member of the [[Adult education|Adult Learning Committee]], a statutory body set up by the [[UK Parliament]].
*Clarke was Deputy Chair of the [[Council of the European Union|EU Task Force]] on Skills and Mobility and presented its report to the [[Barcelona]] Summit in 2002.<ref name="EQT"/>
*Deputy Chairman of the [[Council of the European Union|EU Task Force]] on [[Apprentices mobility|Skills and Mobility]], presenting its report to the [[Barcelona]] [[List of European Council meetings|Summit]] in 2002.<ref name="EQT"/>
*Deputy Chairman of the [[Bristol Old Vic]] theatre until 2007.
*Deputy Chairman of the [[Bristol Old Vic]] [[Theatre]] until 2007.<ref>[https://bristololdvic.org.uk/ www.bristololdvic.org.uk]</ref>
*[[Patron]] of [[Changing Faces (charity)|Changing Faces]], the UK national charity supporting and representing people with [[disfigurement]].
*[[Patron]] of [[Changing Faces (charity)|Changing Faces]], the UK national charity supporting and representing people with [[disfigurement]]<ref>[https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/ www.changingfaces.org.uk]</ref>
In 2010/11, Clarke was elected as Master of the private club the [[Society of Merchant Venturers]] in Bristol.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://www.merchantventurers.com/who-we-are/members/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Society of Merchant Venturers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://www.merchantventurers.com/faqs/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Society of Merchant Venturers|language=en-US}}</ref> The society conducts charitable works, but has been accused of using its present influence to sanitise the memory of Edward Colston.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cork|first=Tristan|date=2019-03-25|title=Second Colston statue plaque not axed but mayor orders re-write|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/second-colston-statue-plaque-not-2682813|access-date=2020-06-15|website=bristolpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cork|first=Tristan|date=2020-06-12|title=Merchants admit it was 'inappropriate' to stop second Colston statue plaque|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/society-merchant-venturers-admit-inappropriate-4222735|access-date=2020-06-15|website=bristolpost}}</ref>
*[[Master craftsman|Master]] of the [[Society of Merchant Venturers]] of [[Bristol]] for 2010/11;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://www.merchantventurers.com/who-we-are/members/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Society of Merchant Venturers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://www.merchantventurers.com/faqs/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Society of Merchant Venturers|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Guild|Society]] continues its considerable charitable works whilst being recently accused by some of preserving a favourable memory of Edward Colston.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cork|first=Tristan|date=2019-03-25|title=Second Colston statue plaque not axed but mayor orders re-write|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/second-colston-statue-plaque-not-2682813|access-date=2020-06-15|website=bristolpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cork|first=Tristan|date=2020-06-12|title=Merchants admit it was 'inappropriate' to stop second Colston statue plaque|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/society-merchant-venturers-admit-inappropriate-4222735|access-date=2020-06-15|website=bristolpost}}</ref>
*[[Deputy Lieutenant]] of [[Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire|Wiltshire]] 1998–2002, then [[Lord Lieutenant of Somerset|Somerset]] since 2004.<ref>[https://somersetlieutenancy.com/deputy-lieutenants/ www.somersetlieutenancy.com]</ref>


==Cricket==
==Cricket==
A keen club cricketer, Clarke became chairman of [[Somerset County Cricket Club]], becoming instrumental in developing the club both on and off field and consulting ex cricketers including [[Ian Botham|Sir Ian Botham]].<ref name="Times1"/> He resultantly became a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and as Chairman of Marketing led the negotiations for their new four-year TV and radio broadcasting rights deal signed with [[BSkyB]], [[Five (channel)|Five]] and the [[BBC]] in December 2004.<ref>[http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/media-releases/sky-sports-get-live-coverage,2887,EN.html ECB TV rights deal with Sky and Five] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717005557/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/media-releases/sky-sports-get-live-coverage,2887,EN.html |date=17 July 2007 }} ECB – 16 December 2004</ref> On 25 September 2007 Clarke was voted in as Chairman of the ECB,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7011119.stm Clarke wins ECB chairmanship vote] BBC Sport – 25 September 2007</ref> re-elected in 2009, and again in March 2012 for a further three years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giles Clarke CBE, DL - ECB chairman|url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/structure/giles-clarke-ecb-chairman,2379,BP.html|work=ECB website|accessdate=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301233350/http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/structure/giles-clarke-ecb-chairman,2379,BP.html|archive-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In April 2015 Clarke was nominated as the ECB's first president, with the intention that president's primary role would be to represent ECB on the [[International Cricket Council]]'s executive board.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clarke nominated as first ECB President|url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/giles-clarke-officially-nominated-inaugural-ecb-president-ian-lovett-announced-ecb|website=ECB|accessdate=22 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810100215/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/giles-clarke-officially-nominated-inaugural-ecb-president-ian-lovett-announced-ecb|archivedate=10 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
A keen [[club cricket]]er, Clarke was chairman of [[Somerset County Cricket Club]], becoming instrumental in developing the [[County cricket|club]] both on and off the field by consulting ex-cricketers including [[Ian Botham|Sir Ian (''now'' Lord) Botham]].<ref name="Times1"/> Consequently he was appointed a [[non-executive director]] of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and as Chairman of ECB Marketing led the negotiations for the ECB's financially advantageous four-year TV and radio broadcasting rights deal signed with [[BSkyB]], [[Five (channel)|Five]] and the [[BBC]] in December 2004.<ref>[http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/media-releases/sky-sports-get-live-coverage,2887,EN.html ECB TV rights deal with Sky and Five] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717005557/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/media-releases/sky-sports-get-live-coverage,2887,EN.html |date=17 July 2007 }} ECB – 16 December 2004</ref> On 25 September 2007 Clarke was elected Chairman of the ECB,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7011119.stm Clarke wins ECB chairmanship vote] BBC Sport – 25 September 2007</ref> re-elected in 2009, and again in March 2012 for a further three years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giles Clarke CBE, DL - ECB chairman|url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/structure/giles-clarke-ecb-chairman,2379,BP.html|work=ECB website|accessdate=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301233350/http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/structure/giles-clarke-ecb-chairman,2379,BP.html|archive-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2015 Clarke was nominated as the inaugural President of the ECB, with the primary role of representing the ECB on the [[International Cricket Council]]'s executive board.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clarke nominated as first ECB President|url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/giles-clarke-officially-nominated-inaugural-ecb-president-ian-lovett-announced-ecb|publisher=European Central Bank|accessdate=22 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810100215/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/giles-clarke-officially-nominated-inaugural-ecb-president-ian-lovett-announced-ecb|archivedate=10 August 2016}}</ref>


Clarke was appointed [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to cricket.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60009 |date=31 December 2011 |page=7 |supp=y }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/31/new-year-honours-list-gbe?newsfeed=true | title=New Year honours list: GBEs, DBEs and CBEs | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | accessdate=31 December 2011 | location=London | date=31 December 2011}}</ref>
Clarke was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2012 New Year Honours]] for "services to cricket".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60009 |date=31 December 2011 |page=7 |supp=y }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/31/new-year-honours-list-gbe?newsfeed=true | title=New Year honours list: GBEs, DBEs and CBEs | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | accessdate=31 December 2011 | location=London | date=31 December 2011}}</ref>

As chief executive of the ECB, Clarke attracted some controversy surrounding the [[Stanford Super Series]], which was bankrolled by the now-convicted American financier [[Sir Allen Stanford]], who offered a US$20million winner-takes-all match against the [[Stanford Superstars]], a team comprising players from the West Indies. Although England had a warm-up game against the West Indies as part of the Super Series, members of the England team, captained by [[Kevin Pietersen]], felt that they were underprepared prior to the match: England lost by 10 wickets.

Although featured in archive interviews and footage as part of a three-part [[Sky Documentaries|Sky Documentary series]] entitled ''The Man Who Bought Cricket'', Clarke declined to participate personally.<ref>[https://www.sky.com/watch/title/series/50fecf3a-3230-4247-9d67-0032a4190110/the-man-who-bought-cricket-50fecf3a-3230-4247-9d67-0032a4190110 www.sky.com]</ref>

Clarke is a member of [[Marylebone Cricket Club]].


==Private life==
==Private life==
Married to Judy, the couple have a son Jack – after whom the brasserie in Bristol is named.<ref name="Times1"/> A family man and protective of his private life, when his name appeared in the [[Sunday Times Rich List]] in the mid-1990s, Clarke took steps to protect his financial interests from the public.<ref name="Times1"/>
In 1983, Clarke married Judy Gould; the couple have a son Jack – after whom the brasserie in Bristol is named. Protective of his family private life, when his name appeared in the ''[[Sunday Times Rich List]]'' in the mid-1990s, Clarke took steps to shield his financial interests from public view.<ref>[https://suntimes.co.uk/product/vintage-sunday-times-rich-list-1995/ www.suntimes.co.uk]</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
*[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/312637.html Clarke's bio at CricInfo.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225204322/http://www.lsc.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/councilmembers/C_Giles_Clarke.htm Bio at the Learning & Skills Council]
⚫
*[http://www.westleighuk.com/people Westleigh Investments]
⚫
*[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/312637.html Bio at CricInfo.com]
*[http://www.safestore.co.uk Safestore Self Storage]
*[https://www.bystored.com/ ByStored]
*[http://www.atltelecom.com ATL Telecom]
⚫
*[http://www.westleighuk.com/people Westleigh Investments Biog]
*[http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/c/26479/(C)%20Giles+CLARKE.aspx Debrett's People of Today]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Giles}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Bristol]]
[[Category:People from Somerset]]
[[Category:People educated at Rugby School]]
[[Category:People educated at Rugby School]]
[[Category:Alumni of Oriel College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Oriel College, Oxford]]
[[Category:English businesspeople]]
[[Category:Damascus University alumni]]
[[Category:British retail company founders]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Bristol]]
[[Category:Somerset County Cricket Club]]
[[Category:Somerset County Cricket Club]]
[[Category:English cricket administrators]]
[[Category:English cricket administrators]]
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[[Category:Members of the Society of Merchant Venturers]]
[[Category:20th-century English businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century English businesspeople]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Damascus University alumni]]
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[[Category:Members of the Society of Merchant Venturers]]

Latest revision as of 19:20, 29 September 2024

Giles Clarke
CBE
Clarke at Trent Bridge in 2009
Chairman
England and Wales Cricket Board
In office
2007–2015
Preceded byDavid Morgan
Succeeded byColin Graves
Personal details
Born
Charles Giles Clarke

(1953-05-29) 29 May 1953 (age 71)
Bristol, Gloucestershire, UK[1]
SpouseJudy née Gould (m. 1983)
Children1 son
EducationRugby School
Alma materOriel College, Oxford
ProfessionBusinessman
Awards CBE

Charles Giles Clarke CBE DL (born 29 May 1953), is a British businessman then cricket administrator, who was chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Early life and education

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Born at Bristol, son of Charles Clarke and Stella née Herbert JP DL (Vice-Lieutenant of Bristol 2004–07), Clarke attended Rugby School, before going to Oriel College, Oxford.

At Oxford, Clarke studied Persian with Arabic, reputedly paying his way through gambling, before graduating as BA (proceeding MA).[2] He then pursued further studies for a year at Damascus University Arabic language school.[3]

Business career

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Clarke began his career as an investment banker with Credit Suisse First Boston. In 1981 he bought from receivership the assets of what was to become Majestic Wine,[4] where, as chairman, he built it into a UK national chain. From August 1987 to May 1988, Clarke was chairman of Majestic Wine Corporation Inc, a United States company which owned a chain of 104 stores trading as Liquor Barn in California and Arizona.[5] Following the disposal of its US-based businesses, he sold the UK plc business of Majestic Wine for £15 million in 1989.[6]

In 1990, Clarke founded Pet City, where, as CEO, he built it into a chain of 94 stores. After floating the business in 1995, he sold it for £150 million in 1996 to US-based PetsMart.[7] In 1998, Clarke founded Safestore, building it into the UK's third largest self storage company before selling it to Bridgepoint Capital for £44million in August 2003.[8] In 1999, Clarke became CEO of Stepstone,[9] an online career portal.

Clarke is chairman and controlling shareholder, via his company Westleigh Investments,[10] of:

  • ATL Telecom – Cardiff-based data transmission design equipment company, which manufactures in China[11][12]
  • Fosters Event Catering – a West Country-based caterer[13]
  • CCI International – the UK's largest clay pigeon equipment manufacturer[14]
  • West Country Business Systems – develops software systems for managing independent schools;[15]

And previously:

Public service

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Clarke has been appointed to the following public bodies:

Cricket

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A keen club cricketer, Clarke was chairman of Somerset County Cricket Club, becoming instrumental in developing the club both on and off the field by consulting ex-cricketers including Sir Ian (now Lord) Botham.[2] Consequently he was appointed a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and as Chairman of ECB Marketing led the negotiations for the ECB's financially advantageous four-year TV and radio broadcasting rights deal signed with BSkyB, Five and the BBC in December 2004.[25] On 25 September 2007 Clarke was elected Chairman of the ECB,[26] re-elected in 2009, and again in March 2012 for a further three years.[27] In April 2015 Clarke was nominated as the inaugural President of the ECB, with the primary role of representing the ECB on the International Cricket Council's executive board.[28]

Clarke was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for "services to cricket".[29][30]

As chief executive of the ECB, Clarke attracted some controversy surrounding the Stanford Super Series, which was bankrolled by the now-convicted American financier Sir Allen Stanford, who offered a US$20million winner-takes-all match against the Stanford Superstars, a team comprising players from the West Indies. Although England had a warm-up game against the West Indies as part of the Super Series, members of the England team, captained by Kevin Pietersen, felt that they were underprepared prior to the match: England lost by 10 wickets.

Although featured in archive interviews and footage as part of a three-part Sky Documentary series entitled The Man Who Bought Cricket, Clarke declined to participate personally.[31]

Clarke is a member of Marylebone Cricket Club.

Private life

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In 1983, Clarke married Judy Gould; the couple have a son Jack – after whom the brasserie in Bristol is named. Protective of his family private life, when his name appeared in the Sunday Times Rich List in the mid-1990s, Clarke took steps to shield his financial interests from public view.[32]

References

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  1. ^ "Giles Clarke profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b The incoming chairman of the ECB promises to be more controversial, more decisive and far more outspoken, The Times, 26 September 2007
  3. ^ a b Entrepreneurs Question Time SetSquared – 4 October 2007
  4. ^ a b About Us: National Council – C Giles Clarke Archived 25 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine Learning & Skills Council
  5. ^ tecc-IS plc – Directorate Change digitallook.com – 12 December 2003
  6. ^ www.majestic.co.uk
  7. ^ www.independent.co.uk
  8. ^ Soros makes a loss in Safestore's £40m management buyout Independent – 22 August 2003
  9. ^ http://specials.ft.com/ftit/march2001/FT336FDYWJC.html Archived 24 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ westleighuk.com
  11. ^ ATL Telecom announces £20 million 3 year contract to provide enhancements to BT’s KiloStream network ATL Telecom
  12. ^ Interview with Giles Clarke – West Country Financier and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ATL Telecom Ltd Archived 19 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine Commonwealth Government & Business Guide to Information and Communication Technology
  13. ^ Fosters spread the word and their Wings Archived 13 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine Fosters Catering – 14 February 2007
  14. ^ About Us Archived 31 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine CCI International
  15. ^ www.wcbs.co.uk
  16. ^ Pure Wafer plc
  17. ^ www.abcolombia.org.uk
  18. ^ www.bristololdvic.org.uk
  19. ^ www.changingfaces.org.uk
  20. ^ "Our Members". The Society of Merchant Venturers. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  21. ^ "FAQ". The Society of Merchant Venturers. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  22. ^ Cork, Tristan (25 March 2019). "Second Colston statue plaque not axed but mayor orders re-write". bristolpost. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  23. ^ Cork, Tristan (12 June 2020). "Merchants admit it was 'inappropriate' to stop second Colston statue plaque". bristolpost. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  24. ^ www.somersetlieutenancy.com
  25. ^ ECB TV rights deal with Sky and Five Archived 17 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine ECB – 16 December 2004
  26. ^ Clarke wins ECB chairmanship vote BBC Sport – 25 September 2007
  27. ^ "Giles Clarke CBE, DL - ECB chairman". ECB website. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  28. ^ "Clarke nominated as first ECB President". European Central Bank. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  29. ^ "No. 60009". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2011. p. 7.
  30. ^ "New Year honours list: GBEs, DBEs and CBEs". The Guardian. London. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  31. ^ www.sky.com
  32. ^ www.suntimes.co.uk
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