Rod Bransgrove to retire as chair of Hampshire Cricket

Rod Bransgrove, the man credited with saving Hampshire County Cricket Club and overseeing the most-successful period in its 160-year history, has announced he he will be stepping down from his role as chairman at the end of the year.

Keen to help further develop the venue, Bransgrove will continue in his role as chair of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Group, overseeing the next phase of stadium development at The Ageas Bowl. Passionate around the growth of the women’s game, Bransgrove will remain as chair of Southern Vipers, also staying on as a trustee of the Hampshire Cricket Foundation.

Elected as Hampshire Cricket chair back in 2000, Bransgrove was the driving force behind the club’s ambitious move from The County Ground in Northlands Road to its current home – the state-of-the-art Ageas Bowl in West End - and oversaw the subsequent expansion of the stadium, bringing international cricket to Hampshire on a regular basis.

That move and the accompanying investment into Hampshire Cricket also helped secure the club’s future off the pitch and under Bransgrove’s stewardship the team was transformed into one of the most competitive in the domestic game, winning three T20 titles and four one-day cups.

He also oversaw the launch of the Southern Vipers, a women’s cricket team based at The Ageas Bowl, who have become one of the most dominant regional sides in limited overs cricket, winning a pair of 50-over titles and three T20 competitions – including back-to-back Charlotte Edwards Cup triumphs in 2022 and 2023.

Building competitive and successful cricket teams was a big part of Bransgrove’s ambitions for Hampshire when he first took over as chair, but central to his long-term vision was creating an international stadium capable of hosting the world’s biggest cricket events and a business model which could sustain the club over the coming decades.

Earlier this summer he realised his long-held dream when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced The Ageas Bowl would host two Ashes Tests – a men’s Test in 2027 and a women’s Test in 2031. The decision was met by widespread approval throughout the domestic game, with many recognising the almost unrivalled commitment Bransgrove has shown to growing the game and safeguarding its future. 

Now fully confident in the health of the club on and off the pitch, Bransgrove has announced he will retire as chair of Hampshire at the end of the year, when he will be replaced by Nick Pike, a former chief executive of The Rose Bowl.

Explaining his decision, Bransgrove said: “Being chair of Hampshire has been a huge honour and one of the greatest experiences of my life.

“When I took on the role, I set out with three clear objectives; to create teams which could compete in all formats, develop the new stadium into an established international ground, and to build a business which would safeguard the future of the Hampshire Cricket long into the future. Over the last two decades and more, we have achieved all of this and so much more.

“I am so proud of all the players and coaches who have entertained and inspired us all during my tenure. As with every sports team, there have been low points and disappointments, but these are far outweighed by our successes - the three T20 titles, four victorious appearances in Lord’s finals and the dawn of the Vipers, who have dominated women’s cricket over the last seven years.

“Off the field, my dream has long been to host an Ashes Test at our fabulous venue and, with confirmation from the ECB that this will now happen in 2027, I believe my work within the sport is nearing its completion.

“Our Club has a long and rich history; I am honoured to have played a part in its story and look forward to attending as a supporter for many years to come.”

David Mann, Chief Executive at Hampshire Cricket, was keen to pay tribute to his friend and colleague. He said: “Rod’s impact on Hampshire simply cannot be overstated.

“He helped save the club and secured its long-term future, while overseeing a period of unprecedented success on the pitch.

“His passion for the game and commitment to cricket is inspiring. Not only has Rod helped build winning teams in both the men’s and women’s games, but he has created a world class stadium, and built a club which is based on the very best values.

“His legacy won’t just be in the success we have enjoyed on the pitch, or in bringing international cricket to Hampshire, but also in growing the game and securing Hampshire’s future for future generations to enjoy.

“It will be a sad day when he leaves his role, but Rod will remain very much so a vital part of the ongoing development here at The Ageas Bowl as we enter an exciting phase of international fixtures, commercial conversations and the re-development of the site.”