by HAYDN GILL

FOUR CANDIDATES have been short-listed in the search for a chief executive officer of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) by one of the island's leading management and training institutions.

The governing body engaged the services of the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) after the BCA could find no suitable applicant to fill the post that was vacant since last October.

BCA president Tony Marshall revealed yesterday that 14 applicants had responded to the initial advertisements for the job, but no one with the requisite skills was identified.

"With the knowledge and approval of the board of management, BIMAP was engaged to 'head hunt' a replacement," he said. "I am happy to say that BIMAP's report was received last week and passed, under cover of a letter dated October 19, 2006, from the president to the chairman of the human resources committee. Acknowledgement of receipt was requested."

The BCA appointed Ricky Craig as its first chief executive officer in August 2003, but the relationship between the two parties came to an end after two years and two months.

Careful selection

Last November, at his first Press conference since he was elected as president for a second time, Marshall said he was hopeful that a replacement would be in office by February this year.

"It is true that it has taken a considerable time to identify a replacement but the requirements of the job demand careful selection and this was a major concern for the committee," he said yesterday during a Press conference at the BCA's Harbour Road offices.

"Given the core competencies of the job that will be needed to meet the demands of the 21st century, it was important that a diligent search be made. It is re-emphasised that jobs requiring the skills called for in executives appointed to such important and pivotal positions, call for diligent and careful search."

While the appointment of a new chief executive is among Marshall's priorities [see accompanying box], he could not say when the position was expected to be filled.

"Given that the report from BIMAP is in and is presently in the hands of the chairman of the human resources committee, I see no reason why an appointment cannot be made swiftly," he added.

Marshall also revealed that a draft development plan from consultants LH Consulting was now before the BCA's cricket development committee, prior to presentation to the board.

It is hoped that the plan would be submitted to the Ministry of Sports by the November 15 deadline.