Durham Cricket is proud to extend its partnership with Shrewd HR as the Club’s Official HR Partner.
Shrewd HR’s relationship with Durham Cricket began in 2024, with the business originally supporting the club through player sponsorship, backing both a male and a female player as part of its commitment to the local sporting community. This early investment reflected Shrewd HR’s belief in the importance of grassroots and elite sport, and its desire to establish strong, long‑term partnerships within the region.
In February 2025, Shrewd HR further strengthened its presence at the Riverside Ground by moving into an executive box at Durham Cricket. The move created a visible and permanent footprint at one of the region’s most prominent sporting venues, reinforcing Shrewd HR’s roots in Durham and its ambition to grow its profile across County Durham and the wider North East.
Following an internal restructure at Durham Cricket, the club reviewed its HR provision and explored its options. Rather than recruiting an in‑house HR professional, Durham Cricket chose to outsource its HR function to Shrewd HR, formally appointing the consultancy as its Official HR Partner from January 2026.
As part of this partnership, Shrewd HR provides retained, on‑site HR support to Durham Cricket, working closely with the club’s leadership and management teams. The support covers day‑to‑day people matters as well as strategic HR guidance, ensuring the club has consistent, compliant and commercially aware HR support aligned to its operational needs.
A key element of the partnership has been Durham Cricket’s investment in developing its managers.
Managers from across the organisation are currently taking part in Shrewd HR’s Managing with Confidence training programme – a six‑month development course designed for new and developing managers who want to feel more assured in their role.
The programme focuses on real workplace scenarios, including recruitment and onboarding, effective communication, absence management, performance, and handling formal processes. The sessions are practical, discussion‑led and grounded in real experience, giving managers the structure, knowledge and confidence to manage people consistently and effectively.
Shrewd HR has also renewed its player sponsorship for the current season, supporting two outstanding athletes at Durham Cricket: Matthew Potts, an England international, and Mady Villiers, who was named Female Player of the Season last year.
Beyond cricket, Shrewd HR plays an active role in supporting professional sport across the region. The consultancy is the Official HR Partner to Durham Women Football Club, provides HR support to True Padel since the opening of its first Durham site in 2023, and has worked closely with Newcastle Eagles over the past year.
These partnerships demonstrate Shrewd HR’s specialist experience in supporting sporting and high‑performance environments with tailored, practical HR solutions.
Shrewd HR offers a full range of people and employment services, including retained HR support, on‑site HR provision, employment law guidance, policy and contract development, HR audits, training and people strategy support. Known for its pragmatic and human‑centred approach, the consultancy works with organisations of all sizes to help them manage risk, develop their people and build sustainable workplaces.
Speaking about the partnership, Martin Potts, Director at Shrewd HR, said: “Durham has always been home for us, so building a long‑term partnership with Durham Cricket feels incredibly meaningful. What started as sponsorship has grown into a trusted working relationship, and we’re proud to support the club as its official HR partner. Our wider aim is to continue supporting organisations across County Durham and the North East with practical, high‑quality HR that genuinely works for the people involved.”
Ian Dawson, Finance Director from Durham Cricket added: “Shrewd HR has become a valued partner for the club. Their on‑site support, understanding of our environment and focus on developing our managers has given us confidence that our people matters are being handled consistently and professionally.”
With strong roots in Durham, a clear commitment to sport, and a growing footprint across the region, Shrewd HR continues to strengthen its position as a leading HR provider throughout County Durham and the North East.