Nick Hockley Appointed Global CEO of BatFast to Drive AI Expansion

BatFast, the global leader in AI-powered sports simulation technology, has announced the appointment of former Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley as its new Global Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

The high-profile hire marks a shift for the UK-founded organisation as it aggressively scales its international footprint across Australia, India, North America, and the Middle East.

Hockley joins the tech firm following a highly successful five-year tenure as CEO of Cricket Australia (2020–2025). During his leadership, he navigated the sport through the pandemic, secured record-breaking broadcast deals, and oversaw a dominant era on the field, including six ICC trophies and multiple Ashes victories. His transition to the technology sector follows a stint as chair of HiTZ Australia, BatFast’s cricket training subsidiary which recently launched its first international site in Melbourne.

Commenting on the appointment, Former boss of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of reshaping how sports are experienced globally,”

“I’ve seen first-hand how transformative BatFast’s technology can be… Our technology doesn’t just simulate sport, it personalises the experience, captures performance data, and makes training more accessible,” Hockley said.

BatFast Disrupting the Global Training Market

BatFast’s platform integrates advanced robotics, computer vision ball tracking, and machine learning to create a high-performance environment that bridges elite training and fan entertainment.

The organisation has already established deep roots within the industry, partnering with global bodies including the International Cricket Council (ICC), Tennis Australia, and Major League Baseball (MLB).

Founder and chief strategy officer, Runish Gudhka, noted that Hockley’s appointment is a catalyst for the company’s next phase of growth.

“Nick’s track record leading complex sporting organisations… makes him uniquely qualified to lead BatFast’s global expansion.”

“His appointment accelerates our ambition to establish BatFast as foundational infrastructure within cricket’s global ecosystem,” Gudhka said.

Strategic Outlook and Founders’ Roles

While Hockley takes the helm of global operations, founders Runish Gudhka and Jignesh Patel will remain central to the business, pivoting to focus on long-term strategy and technical innovation as CSO and CTO, respectively. 

The company’s recent launch of HiTZ at Melbourne’s CitiPower Centre serves as the blueprint for its international rollout. The program focuses on “operator-less” AI training hubs that allow players to access professional-grade data and simulation without the need for traditional coaching staff, a model Hockley is expected to replicate across diverse sporting codes worldwide.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.