Kent’s club president for 2027 has been named.
Former director of cricket Paul Downton will succeed Richard Ellison, the county’s president for 2026, from January 1, 2027, having been an ex-Kent and England wicketkeeper.
Downton said: “I’m honoured and extremely proud to be the president of Kent Cricket for 2027.
“I have been a passionate fan of Kent since my childhood and still remember the excitement of making my first-class debut for the Club against Surrey at The Mote in July 1977.
“I was then delighted to be appointed the club’s first director of cricket in 2018 where I had the opportunity to work with some great people, both on and off the field. I’m now looking forward to returning to the club in a new capacity next year.
“In the meantime, I would like to wish my former England team-mate Richard Ellison the very best in his presidency in 2026.”
Former Kent and England wicketkeeper Downton made 83 appearances for his home county between 1977 and 1979 before moving on to Middlesex to finish his playing career in 1991. In his career, he also made 58 appearances for England across Test and One-Day International Cricket.
Downton won two County Championship titles and one Benson & Hedges Cup as a Kent player and, on his return to the club as director of cricket from 2018 until 2023, oversaw promotion to Division 1 of the County Championship, a T20 Blast title and a One-Day Cup victory.
Kent Cricket’s 2026 president, Richard Ellison, said: “I have known Paul for a reasonable amount of time, having played against each other when he was at Sevenoaks School and I was at Tonbridge. We were then team-mates at Exeter University and then, of course, England.
“Paul is a top man and richly deserves the accolade of being Kent’s president in 2027.”
“Paul left a lasting legacy of raising standards at Kent that has been a huge influence on the entire club in recent seasons,” said chairman Krish Shanmuganathan.
“We’re delighted that he will return to the club for a third time in his role of president in 2027.
“I look forward to working closely with him in his tenure.”
Sir Tim Laurence, Kent’s club president for 2025, added: “I’m thrilled that my former team-mate from the Sevenoaks School XI will be taking on the role of president for 2027 and I hope he enjoys it as much as I have done.”
