Mark Robinson returns to Sussex as director of cricket

Mark Robinson, the World Cup-winning former England Women's coach, will return to Sussex as the club's new director of cricket. Robinson, who led Sussex to two County Championships during a decade as head coach from 2005 to 2015, will take on the part-time role that Paul Farbrace had been due to fill before agreeing a move to Lancashire.

Robinson, 59, was most recently head coach at Warwickshire, where he oversaw their Championship and Bob Willis Trophy success in 2021. He left Edgbaston in early 2025 and has since worked as director of cricket at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA), a role he will combine with the Sussex job.

His appointment comes a matter of weeks after Farbrace opted to take on the full-time director of cricket role at Lancashire. Farbrace had been due to move upstairs at Hove after four seasons as head coach in the wake of cost-cutting measures imposed by the ECB, with Matt Walker arriving - also from Warwickshire - to take charge of the first team.

Robinson's career at Hove began as a player, and he then returned as Peter Moores' successor as head coach, overseeing back-to-back Championship title wins in 2006 and 2007. He went on to take charge of England Women in 2015 and was at the helm for their 2017 World Cup success.

"I'm delighted to be back at Hove in a position where I can play my part in helping Sussex continue to be one of the most respected clubs in the country," Robinson said. "We have taken some hits in the last year and as a club have some work still to be done, and I am determined to contribute to ensure a bright future here at Sussex.

"I first joined this club in 1997 just after the revolution following the loss of most of its senior players and captain. I was just one small building block that helped build an era of unqualified success. Trophies won and England players and coaches produced.

"The flexibility of my role also allows me still to be hands on at BACA. So many of our cricket students come from all over the county and show such dedication, some leaving as early as 6.30am, many catching two trains to get in to school to follow their dreams. It's lovely, and means a lot to me, that I can continue to help influence the next generation of male and female cricketers for both the school and at Sussex."

Robinson's confirmation as director of cricket comes in the same week that Beth Barrett-Wild was named as the club's new chief executive. She will take over from interim CEO, Alex Paterson, on January 1, with the club looking to build a stronger financial footing after being put into special measures earlier in the year.

Paterson said: "Mark knows Sussex Cricket inside out having successfully played and coached here over more than 15 years, including winning the County Championship twice.

"Mark has a fantastic understanding of our pathway and the cricketers at BACA and he will continue to provide an excellent segue for the most talented into Sussex Cricket. I am delighted that Mark is rejoining and supporting all of our teams and coaches with his invaluable expertise. I cannot imagine a better person to become our director of cricket."