Cumbes to retire from Lancashire
Jim Cumbes, the popular chief executive who helped guide the redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club through the planning system, will retire at the end of 2012.
Cumbes will be replaced by Daniel Gidney, pictured left, who joins Old Trafford from the Ricoh Arena, home of Coventry City FC, where he has been chief executive since 2006. During his tenure Gidney was responsible for attracting several high-profile sporting, music and business events, including the Olympic Games football and the Rugby World Cup. He also established revenue streams for non matchday hospitality, conferencing and events.
Old Trafford will unveil its new pavilion in spring 2013 before hosting the eagerly anticipated return of the Ashes in August. The club faced lengthy and repeated legal battles with rival neighbour Albert Gubay's Derwent Holdings before ultimately triumphing in the courts.
Michael Cairns, club chairman, said: "Daniel is joining Lancashire County Cricket Club at a key moment in our history. On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Daniel to Old Trafford.
"Daniel will be taking over from our well-respected and long-serving chief executive Jim Cumbes. Jim initially joined the club as a player and made his debut in 1962. After spells at other counties, including Surrey and Worcestershire, and also a career as an outstanding professional footballer, Jim was appointed Warwickshire's first commercial manager in 1982. He returned to Old Trafford as sales and marketing manager in 1987 before becoming chief executive in 1998.
"Jim was a key member of the team throughout what has been a monumental period for the Club which saw us ultimately overcome a number of potentially devastating hurdles to be in the position where we are today: having a world-class stadium, club and business that we can all be proud of.
"Everybody connected with Lancashire County Cricket Club owes a tremendous amount of gratitude to Jim for his unfaltering service to cricket and the business of cricket over the years and we all wish him well in his retirement."
BDP is the lead architect and Morgan Sindall main contractor on the redevelopment of the ground.
