Cricket Australia will have its fourth chair in less than 18 months after Lachlan Henderson announced he would step down early next year having taken a new role in the corporate world.

Mike Baird, the former New South Wales premier, will take up the position next February having been unanimously endorsed.

Henderson, who will remain on the board, became chair in February when he was appointed the permanent replacement for Earl Eddings who resigned in October 2021. Richard Freudenstein held the role in an interim position before Henderson.

"The new role I've taken in my home city Perth will make it difficult to devote the time required as Chair, so I have decided this is the right time to hand over the role," Henderson said.

Baird will take the chair at a crucial time for the game in Australia with the next broadcast rights and new MoU currently being negotiated.

"Lachlan has made a great contribution as Chair and I'm delighted he will continue to provide his considerable business and cricket expertise on the CA Board," he said.

"It is an honour to take such an important role in Australian cricket at a time when so much exciting work is being done to grow our national sport and take it forward. I'm pleased to have the chance to work even more closely with CEO Nick Hockley and his team and all those working across Australian cricket."

It was been a controversial week for CA amid the fallout to David Warner withdrawing from his bid to have his leadership ban overturned, a process that was led by CEO Nick Hockley and endorsed by the board.