JOHN Stephenson is leaving his position as assistant secretary (cricket) at MCC to become the chief executive of Essex.Stephenson, who has spent 17 years at MCC and will be replaced by Jamie Cox, is due to begin his new position in early October.The 56-year-old came through the Essex academy and had two stints with the county as a player, between 1984-1994 and 2002-2004.“Having spent over a decade with the club, I couldn’t pass up the prospect of taking on this fantastic role,” he said.

...