English Chess Forum

According to Linkedin Richard Walsh will become the new CEO in October 2026.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walsh-05487b17/

I have never knowingly met Richard nor have any knowledge of his chess interests and areas of expertise.

Possibly one of our northern correspondents could provide some background?

Some may immediately reach for ratings databases but I cannot see the relevance to the role of CEO.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 3:39 pm

According to Linkedin Richard Walsh will become the new CEO in October 2026.

He is already CEO, that should say 2025.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 3:39 pm

Some may immediately reach for ratings databases but I cannot see the relevance to the role of CEO.

It gives a potted hitory of his chess CV. He has a low rating code, so was playing in the 1980s when national grading was introduced. After that, he was playing in Hertfordshire, including local Congresses. After a decade long break, he returned after Covid, this time playing in leagues and Congresses in the Lancaster area plus division 4 of the 4NCL.

Slightly more relevant than knowledge of how the the horsey moves we have:

Richard Walsh is CEO of the English Chess Federation and a trustee of the Chess Trust. He took on this role in October 2026 having stepped down from his consultancy roles and Co-Chair of the Building Resilient Households Group. He has a wide background in the health and welfare sectors and its partners in industry, government and regulators. He spent 6 years as head of health and protection at the Association of British Insurers. Before this he spent eleven years in high profile government health and social care policy and strategy roles at the Department of Health (senior civil service).

and more pertinently we have

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-cont ... ddress.pdf

Seems promising...

Any thoughts?

I wish people would try to write in English and not use "buzzwords". Everybody makes mistakes, but a quick proof-read avoids things like, " Chess is growing in popularity and the diversity of players."

Anyway, good luck to him.

There are some misleading statements.

For example

Bring the ECF closer to its members so that our grass roots volunteers and players see us as an organisation that is there to help them – not just something they have to join to get a grade

That's just not true and never really has been. Everyone gets rated, it's just that organisations running events will get charged by the ECF in many circumstances if non-members participate.

The only exceptions now are for FIDE rated "international" events which offer potential norms. Thus Scottish or Welsh players entering English events will get hit either by being told to become ECF members or an entry fee surcharge which is equivalent. That's the case now even where the event is FIDE rated. That's like the USCF rather than continental Europe or probably even Wales, Scotland, Ireland or the Channel Isles.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 3:39 pm

According to Linkedin Richard Walsh will become the new CEO in October 2026.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walsh-05487b17/

I have never knowingly met Richard nor have any knowledge of his chess interests and areas of expertise.

Possibly one of our northern correspondents could provide some background?

Some may immediately reach for ratings databases but I cannot see the relevance to the role of CEO.

I have been in a few online meetings with Richard, and he's kindly organised the excellent Lancaster Bridge Club for county matches between G Man and Cumbria; I understand he's previously been in chess circles in Manchester

He's basically revived Lancashire chess from being moribund post Covid; they now have 3 teams in the NCCU County Championships

I expect he'll do a decent job, and am very thankful not to suffer 1 of his predecessors as Lancs supremo

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 5:40 pm

I expect he'll do a decent job, and am very thankful not to suffer 1 of his predecessors as Lancs supremo

Do you mean Bill O’Rourke or someone else?

Do you need to ask?

The decades long disputes of the chess unions up north is all a bit vague to me as I only really picked up bits and pieces on this forum. Is it all settled now?

Yes, thanks to Tim Wall, at the 8 October 2022 NCCU AGM; not sure Bill's been seen since at an NCCU meeting

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 8:41 pm

Yes, thanks to Tim Wall, at the 8 October 2022 NCCU AGM; not sure Bill's been seen since at an NCCU meeting

Mick,

Do "we" know (and there is no reason that you should) if Richard visits this place either officially or unofficially?

I don't think so, but not sure

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:06 pm

I don't think so, but not sure

Any chance you might suggest he become a member of this place?

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 04, 2025 5:20 pm

There are some misleading statements.

For example

Bring the ECF closer to its members so that our grass roots volunteers and players see us as an organisation that is there to help them – not just something they have to join to get a grade

That's just not true and never really has been.

I think the point being made is that many players perceive it to be true.