It is with great sadness that the Yorkshire County Cricket Club have learnt of the passing of Dr Keith Howard OBE, the founder of Emerald Group and a long-time supporter of the Club.
Dr Howard OBE passed away peacefully at home at the age of 89 and the thoughts of everyone at Yorkshire Cricket are with his family, friends and all at Emerald.
Having forged a hugely successful career in academia and industry, Keith formed Emerald back in 1967 with a group of academic colleagues from the University of Bradford. Under his leadership, Emerald has grown into a global business with 450 staff worldwide.
Keith has been one of the biggest supporters of Yorkshire Cricket over the years, working with both the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation with the great work that they do in our communities as well as well as the Club. He has been life-long supporter of the Club watching games frequently at Emerald Headingley and Scarborough.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive Mark Arthur said: “Keith’s contribution to Yorkshire County Cricket Club has been immense over many years. He funded the Club’s superb museum which has become one of the best in the country. Through the Emerald Foundation, Keith helped to set up the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and on an annual basis for the last ten years made significant donations. And finally, without the Support of Keith and the Emerald Group, we would not have the Emerald Stand, which is unique in world sport.
“We are truly grateful to Keith for his vision and love of cricket. We have lost a dear friend.”
