The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) terminated the services of its chief executive officer Michael Browne last Monday. Browne, 57, was 13 months into a three-year contract when he was informed that the following day would be his last on the job. Prior to leaving his office at the BCA’s secretariat at Kensington Oval for the final time on Tuesday evening, Browne spoke with Associate Editor (Sports) Haydn Gill.
It is unfortunate to chat with you in these circumstances, but having been informed of your dismissal by the BCA, what is your reaction to the news?
Browne: I am not even sure I should term it as “dismissal”. The [word] “dismissal” connotes a number of things. The BCA and I came to a parting because there was a review process in terms of my being here.
As far back as the middle of last year, there were some challenges. I was on sick leave for about two months. As you can see now, I have been back to work and doing very well. Even though there is a parting of ways, I am looking to move forward. I bear no malice. In life, you move on.
Were you surprised by the decision by the BCA?
Browne: No. The decision, as it seems to happen with the BCA, was leaked since last week. It was not a surprise to me. Recently, a lot of fingers were pointed in the direction of the CEO over certain matters.
How would you describe your tenure in office?
Browne: It has been a challenge. When I came here in February last year, having been interviewed for over an hour, I learnt on the day of the press conference to introduce me to Barbados, I was one of three short-listed for the job and 21 applicants overall. It is not only a disappointment to me, but it must be a disappointment to the BCA board, that having taken the time to interview someone and there is disappointment in the end that it has not worked out.
There is a lot of work to be done at the BCA. The BCA has a huge mandate to move cricket forward. I was team leader of the secretariat, but it is not about Michael Browne. It is about moving cricket forward and putting structures in place.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
Browne: I’m disappointed that I didn’t have the chance to put basic systems in place regarding governance and accountability. With or without me, these things have to be done.
I don’t have to go much further than two instances. When I came to the BCA last year, the news was leaked that I was coming. I did not have a contract at the time. Last evening, a story was leaked again that I was dismissed. If you’re having a serious organization, it should not be characterized by leaks.
As you prepare to leave the office for the final time this evening, how disappointed are you?
Browne: It is disappointment, but I knew what was happening. I knew since last week that this was going to happen. Even though you are a man facing the gallows and you know you’re going to die, there is an expectation. It was not a surprise.
The BCA would have expended a lot of time and energy to recruit me and there is a lot of work that has to be done. As I indicated at the press conference last year, I was part of a team – Team BCA – to build Barbados’ cricket. We know there is much more to do.
The BCA is going through our strategic plan for 2013-2016. Recently, we had an all-day session and made very good progress. There is a lot of good work to be done in Barbados’ cricket and the secretariat has to be staffed with that quality of resource to drive the process forward.
In the 13 months you were here, do you think you were able to help take that process forward?
Browne: There were challenges, but I think I was able to instill some tenets to staff in terms of recording information and making paper trails.
I was accused of “always wanting things in writing”. This might seem basic, but I hope that I brought a sense [of] recording activities and doing away with the verbal. With an audit trail, you need to have recorded information.
In the time I was here, I hope that I gave the managers an opportunity to grow. You have a discussion, there is a proposal, you have to justify why you are doing it. I gave them an opportunity to look at strategic decision making and come up with informed decisions to move the secretariat along to achieve its objectives.
I would hope that my tenure was not seen as a dictatorship but a matter of sharing and growing together.
One of the functions of the manager is coaching your team. I hope that my team members would have learnt and been able to grow, become more confident. I’ve seen some growth in my short time in terms of team players and the whole aspect of taking responsibility. As with everything, more has to be done.
I’m not privy to the contractual details but you had 24 hours’ notice that this would be your last day on the job. Do you think that was reasonable on the part of the BCA?
Browne: It is always better that if you’re going to be parting ways to do it as quickly as possible. There has to be a handover. I’ve had discussions with (cricket operations manager) Mr (Rollins) Howard. The BCA goes on. The BCA lives. There were CEOs before me and they moved on for whatever reason and the BCA is still here. Someone else will have an opportunity to make a contribution. Cricket is still very important, even critical to the socio-economic development of Barbados.
As you sit here, you have a document which you are handing over and it contains a list of more than 50 items the BCA needs at act on. In these circumstances, some people would have just come to work today and gone through the motions. What prompted you to do this, compile this detailed document?
Browne: I know that is a rhetorical question because you have worked with me. You know that I am a professional in how I operate from my days at Starcom Network as producer for the call-in programmes. I set a certain standard and I have carried this with me from living and working in the United Kingdom. I’ve brought it back here working in the private sector, working in the public sector and working for myself.
There is level and a standard of professionalism that persons must maintain. I might never pass through Kensington Oval again but it would not be said that Michael Browne jumped ship and did not hand over. I have no problem in providing information about where the BCA is at and where it needs to go.
Let me thank the Barbados Cricket Association for providing me with this opportunity to make a contribution to the development of cricket.
The BCA has an exciting time ahead. A strategic plan to complete, the new 2013 season, the first series of the [Caribbean Premier League] and, even more immediate, a WICB election.
