JCA CEO Francis bids farewell as position made redundant

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — In a cost-cutting move that sent shock waves through local sports circles, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Board of Directors has confirmed that the position of chief executive officer (CEO) has been made redundant, effective June 30, 2026.

The decision, announced internally by outgoing CEO Courtney Francis, ends a two-decade-long tenure that saw him become one of the most respected sport administrators in Jamaica.

“The JCA Board of Directors has made the decision to make the position of chief executive officer redundant,” Francis wrote in a farewell message to staff and stakeholders. “This decision was reached after the board considered organisational changes necessary to address the current financial state of the company.”

While the JCA has not yet detailed how executive duties will be absorbed following Francis’s departure, the move signals a dramatic restructuring aimed at stemming financial losses.

The redundancy of the top post suggests a potentially board-led management model moving forward.

For Francis, the news marks a bittersweet farewell after 20 years at the helm.

“It has been a true privilege to serve this organisation and work alongside all of you for the past twenty years,” Francis wrote. “Thank you all for the memories, collaboration, and support. I wish you and the JCA all the very best in the future.”

As June 30 approaches, all eyes will be on the board’s next steps and whether the elimination of the CEO role is a temporary survival tactic or a permanent shift in the JCA’s leadership structure.