Essex County Cricket Club has found itself in the midst of another leadership shake-up, as Anu Mohindru, the club's chair since 2023, resigned with immediate effect following his disbarment by the Barristers' Tribunal Service. The move comes after a tribunal found that Mohindru had deliberately exaggerated his academic achievements and qualifications, including falsely claiming to have studied medicine at Oxford University, in an effort to improve his professional prospects. The revelations and subsequent resignation have sent ripples through both the cricketing and legal communities, drawing renewed attention to issues of integrity and governance at one of England's most storied county clubs.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Mohindru's disbarment was the result of a five-day hearing held by the Barristers' Tribunal Service last week. The tribunal ordered Mohindru to pay £55,000 in costs after determining that he had "deliberately exaggerated his academic achievements and qualifications" when applying for work as far back as 2012-13. The Bar Standards Board, as reported by Essex Live, stated that Mohindru had intentionally misrepresented his credentials in an attempt to improve his chances of securing tenancy as a barrister.
The 50-year-old Mohindru, a criminal lawyer by trade, faced two charges of professional misconduct: one for falsely claiming to have studied medicine at Oxford University, and another for asserting that he was a qualified medical doctor. During a four-day hearing, Mohindru denied both charges. Ultimately, one of the charges was dropped, but the tribunal found sufficient grounds to disbar him on the remaining count. The outcome led to his immediate suspension, pending any appeal, and the hefty financial penalty.
In a statement released by Essex County Cricket Club on Sunday, September 14, 2025, the club confirmed Mohindru's resignation. "Essex County Cricket Club can confirm that club chair Anu Mohindru has stood down as a board member with immediate effect," the statement read. "He informed the board of his decision at a meeting on Sunday. Following the meeting the board has decided that Jason Gallian will act as interim chair whilst Vicky Ford will assume the position of interim deputy chair. Essex County Cricket Club would like to place on record its thanks to Anu for his leadership and significant contribution during his time as chair of the club."
The swift appointment of Jason Gallian as interim chair and Vicky Ford as interim deputy chair was intended to ensure continuity and stability at the club during this turbulent period. Both Gallian and Ford are expected to guide Essex through the coming months as the board searches for a permanent replacement. The club's statement, shared on its official channels and echoed by multiple outlets, emphasized gratitude for Mohindru's service, despite the controversy that led to his departure.
Mohindru's resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile leadership changes at Essex County Cricket Club. His appointment in 2023 came in the aftermath of another scandal that saw previous chair John Faragher forced to step down in 2021 after allegations emerged that he had made a racist comment during a board meeting. That incident resulted in a £50,000 fine from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), underscoring ongoing concerns about governance and culture within the club.
The circumstances leading to Mohindru's disbarment have cast a long shadow not only over Essex but also over the legal profession. As reported by BBC News, the Bar Standards Board's findings were unequivocal: "Mr Mohindru had deliberately exaggerated his academic achievements and qualifications in an attempt to improve his tenancy prospects." The tribunal's decision to disbar Mohindru and impose nearly £55,000 in costs reflects the seriousness with which the legal profession treats breaches of honesty and integrity.
For Essex County Cricket Club, the timing of Mohindru's resignation could hardly be more challenging. The club has been striving to rebuild its reputation and foster a culture of inclusion and transparency following the fallout from the Faragher episode. Mohindru was initially seen as a figure who could help steer the club through those troubled waters, bringing legal expertise and a commitment to reform. However, the revelations about his own professional conduct have left many questioning the vetting and oversight processes that led to his appointment in the first place.
"It is a difficult moment for the club," one board member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Essex Live. "We have worked hard to put new structures in place and to move forward from the past. But this situation shows that there is always more to be done to ensure that our leaders represent the values we want to uphold."
The cricketing community has responded with a mix of disappointment and resolve. Supporters have expressed concern over the impact of the scandal on the club's image, while others have called for greater transparency in the selection and monitoring of board members. The ECB, which has been closely monitoring events at Essex, is expected to continue working with the club to ensure compliance with governance standards.
Meanwhile, Mohindru's legal career appears to be at an end, at least for the foreseeable future. Disbarment is one of the most severe penalties that can be imposed on a barrister in the UK, effectively barring the individual from practicing law. The tribunal's findings—particularly the conclusion that Mohindru had fabricated his CV when applying for a senior position—are likely to have lasting repercussions for his professional reputation.
For Essex County Cricket Club, the immediate focus will be on stabilizing leadership and reassuring stakeholders that the club remains committed to high standards of conduct and accountability. The interim leadership of Gallian and Ford will be closely watched, as will the process by which a new permanent chair is selected. Many within the club hope that this episode will serve as a catalyst for further reforms and a renewed emphasis on integrity at all levels.
As the dust settles, Essex faces the dual challenge of moving past yet another leadership controversy while continuing to compete on the field. The coming months will test the club's resilience, but there is a sense among supporters and officials alike that this could also mark a turning point—an opportunity to reaffirm the values that have long defined Essex cricket, even in the face of adversity.
