Nick Hockley, the CEO of Cricket Australia (CA), is set to leave his position in March 2025 after a five-year tenure, as per an announcement by the Australia’s cricket board on Tuesday.

Hockley initially assumed the the role of interim CEO in June 2020 following the resignation of Kevin Roberts who had received serious criticism over the handling of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Eleven months later, Hockley was appointed to the position permanently.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, he advised CA’s board of his decision after chair Mike Baird and other directors indicated that they did not envision him serving as CEO for 10 years.

During his tenure, Hockley played a key role in guiding CA through the challenges of the pandemic, implementing a five-year strategy, and securing significant seven-year media deals with Seven West Media, Foxtel Group and Disney Star in India.

“This was a difficult decision,” said Hockley, who has worked in the Australian game in various roles for 13 years.

“However, following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place.”

Hockley oversaw a new player memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Australian Cricketers’ Association which included a 66% uplift in pay for women professional cricketers and Australia won six ICC World Cup titles during his tenure.

His successes also include Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years, retention of the women’s and men’s Ashes, a women’s Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 and a men’s Under-19s World Cup earlier this year.