Extraordinary General Meeting – 14th September 2026
Message from our Interim Chair
I am writing to notify Members of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Somerset County Cricket Club, which will take place at 6pm on September 14th, 2026 in the County Room at The Cooper Associates County Ground. This meeting will also be livestreamed.
The EGM has been called for one specific item of business: the appointment of the new Chair of Somerset County Cricket Club for an initial three-year term.
The appointment of a new Chair is an important moment for the Club and its Members. The Chair has a key role in providing leadership to the Board and supporting the Club as we continue to build on our strong foundations, both on and off the field.
The Board have been undertaking a recruitment process since receiving the news that Lord Barber was resigning to take up post in the House of Lord’s earlier this year. Following a lengthy and diligent process, we are now delighted to propose Matt Berriman as the new Club Chair. Matt’s bio is available below for you to read, and his history makes him a unanimous nomination from the Board to lead the Club.
The formal proceedings will take place in accordance with the Club’s Rules, with the business of the meeting focused solely on the appointment of the new Chair.
It is now standard Club procedure for Civica to co-ordinate our election protocol, and therefore they will be circulating ballot papers and information imminently which will enable Members to take part in the election process and participate in the meeting. I would strongly encourage your involvement in the voting process.
As a Members’ Club, it is important that we continue to move forward together, with our Members informed and engaged in the decisions that shape the future of Somerset County Cricket Club.
I hope to see you at the EGM.
Richard Brice
Interim Chair
Matt Berriman
Overview
Matt Berriman combines first-hand elite sporting experience with a substantial track record as a technology entrepreneur, corporate advisor and not-for-profit chair. The Board considers this combination directly relevant to the challenges and opportunities facing Somerset County Cricket Club, spanning commercial growth, digital engagement, governance and stakeholder leadership.
Cricket Background
- Represented Australia Under-17’s and Captain of Victoria U-19, whilst spending five years at the Victorian Institute of Sport as both player and coach.
- Playing career ended following several serious shoulder injuries, giving him first-hand understanding of the athlete pathway, player welfare, and the pressures of elite sport; relevant to Board oversight of the playing squad and pathway programmes.
Entrepreneurial & Commercial Experience
- Co-founder of Unlockd, a mobile advertising venture that scaled from concept to over $20 million in annual recurring revenue and a $250 million valuation within approximately three years, expanding into the UK, US, India, Indonesia and UAE.
- Experience taking a venture through rapid international scaling, multi-market launch, and significant investor and stakeholder management (including high-profile backers) — directly transferable to growing the Club’s commercial and international profile.
- 15+ years’ experience across founder, executive, corporate development and investment manager roles in high-growth businesses.
- Advised major corporates including News Corp and Commonwealth Bank on digital strategy and transformation; relevant to the Club’s media, broadcast and commercial partnerships.
Governance & Board Leadership
- Chair of Mental Health Australia (2021–2024), the peak body representing the national mental health sector reporting to Federal Government; evidence of experience chairing a board, leading organisational strategy, and engaging a broad membership and stakeholder base.
- Prior advisory role with Beyond Blue during its 2020 organisational transformation, indicating experience supporting not-for-profit governance and change management.
- Track record of representing an organisation publicly and to government, including willingness to take principled public positions on behalf of an organisation’s mission.
Advocacy & Public Profile
- Experience as a credible public spokesperson, relevant to the external-facing dimension of the Chair role, including media, member and community engagement.
Relevance to Somerset CCC
- Life-long love of Cricket and challenges of elite performance
- Commercial growth & digital engagement – Scaling a digital venture internationally; advising on organisational transformation
- Governance & board leadership – Chair of a national peak body; NFP board experience
- Player welfare & pathway – First-hand experience as an elite athlete and injury-ended career
- Stakeholder & community engagement – Public advocacy profile; multi-stakeholder NFP leadership
- International outlook – multi-market business expansion (UK, US, Asia, Middle East)
Summary
The Board’s assessment is that Matt Berriman offers a rare combination of elite sporting background, proven entrepreneurial and commercial leadership, and demonstrated governance experience chairing a significant national organisation. Matt aligns closely with the skills sought in the Chair role specification, particularly around driving commercial growth and representing the Club credibly to Members, partners and the wider public. His decision to move permanently to the UK with his family (with his son and daughter being avid cricketers) offers an opportunity to secure his skills and experience as a key part of the leadership, whilst harnessing his obvious passion for cricket and his lifelong fondness for Somerset CCC through the club’s successful international profile.
