Cook leaves Kent to resume coaching career

Kent director of cricket Simon Cook and head of women’s cricket Lucy Arman are stepping down from their roles

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Matthew Panting
mpanting@thekmgroup.co.uk
Published: 11:00, 05 October 2026
Updated: 11:03, 05 October 2026

Director of cricket Simon Cook is stepping down from his role at Kent.

The county have announced Cook’s departure at the end of the 2026 season as he looks to return to a coaching-based role.

Kent’s head of women’s cricket, Lucy Arman, will also be stepping down from her position.

Cook said: “Leading the cricket department at Kent has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club and am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together across the men’s game, women’s game and talent pathway.

“We have established a clear pathway for identifying and nurturing talent through the Kent Regional Development Pathway, MCC Hubs and SAC programmes that will benefit the club in the years ahead.

“It has also been a privilege to be a part of the professional squad’s development. They are exceptionally talented and entering the prime years of their careers, which will allow them to enjoy a strong period of success, supported by coaches and staff who are capable of maximising that potential. The club is now in a position to move beyond simply competing and to expect to challenge for honours across all formats.

“I have loved the challenge of the role and am grateful to the players, staff, members and supporters who have contributed to that journey.

“Coaching and working directly with players has always been where my greatest passion lies, and I feel this is the right time to return to a more hands-on role within the game.

“While I don’t yet know exactly what the next chapter will look like, I’m excited by the opportunities that may lie ahead. I leave with enormous pride in what has been achieved and look forward to seeing many more Kent players go on to represent both Kent and England in the future.”

Former Kent bowler Cook was appointed director of cricket in 2023 while Arman was appointed head of women’s cricket in October 2024.

She has played an important role in developing Kent’s female talent pathway, aligning it with the club’s wider player development strategy and establishing a stronger performance-based approach to talent identification.

Arman said: “Kent cricket has been a huge part of my life, from playing county cricket from the age of 12, to coaching within the pathway and, ultimately, becoming head of women’s cricket during such an enormous transformation of women’s and girls’ cricket across the country.

“I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved; the players, staff and parents and everything we have achieved together. The first two years of Tier 2 cricket have certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions, but they have also provided a huge amount of learning for everyone. I am particularly proud of the foundations we have built across the Kent Women’s team and talent pathway.

“While I don’t yet know exactly what the next chapter will look like, I’m excited to have a break, refuel myself and continue developing my own self-growth. I leave with a huge amount of pride in what has been achieved and look forward to seeing Kent players representing Kent, Tier 1 and England in the future.”

Kent chief executive Michael Wilshaw said: “Both Simon and Lucy have worked extremely hard and achieved significant accomplishments to create a long-lasting strategy for both Kent men’s and women’s cricket that will benefit the club in the long term.

“We fully respect their decisions, and will work closely with both of them to ensure a smooth transition as we head into 2027.”

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