Ricky Ellcock

Captain Ricky Ellcock was born on 17 June 1965 in Redman’s Village, St Thomas, Barbados. He attended Welches Primary and then Combermere School before gaining a scholarship to Malvern College, Worcestershire at the age of 15. 

He made his first-class debut as a 17-year-old fast bowler for Worcestershire CCC before being selected for the England cricket team at 24. A major back injury and two unsuccessful operations ended his cricket career.

He retrained in 1993 as a pilot at the British Aerospace Flying College and gained his MSc in Air Transport Planning and Management at the University of Westminster. He joined Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1997 as their first black pilot.