Grant resigns at Derbyshire to pursue ECB role

Derbyshire chairman Chris Grant has announced that he will step down after the annual meeting next month in order to stand for election to the board of the ECB.

One of the four positions on the main board becomes vacant in the Spring and Grant is anxious to avoid allegations of a conflict of interest when he puts himself forward for the post.

Grant, who was elected to Derbyshire's committee in August 2010 became chairman only seven months later and will have served six years in the role by the time of the AGM.

Although his last season at the club saw Derbyshire finish bottom of Division Two of the Specsavers Championship, he has overseen a strong financial performance and considerable ground improvements at their Derby headquarters.

Grant said: "Serving as Chairman of Derbyshire has been a huge honour. However, I have signalled my intention to stand for election to the ECB and I believe that by stepping down from my county role, I will be better equipped, if elected, to discharge the duties of a director of the ECB without conflict.

"I am immensely proud of what we have achieved at Derbyshire over the last six years. Having rescued the club from the brink of financial ruin back in 2010, we are set to announce a sixth successive year of surplus next month.

"On the field, we secured our first piece of silverware in nearly 20 years, and only the club's fifth-ever trophy, when we won the County Championship Division Two title in 2012.

"It is also no exaggeration to say that The 3aaa County Ground is unrecognisable from what it used to be as a result of a £4m ground development programme, which will see the club host the opening fixture of this year's ICC Women's World Cup.

Grant leaves with hopes that Derbyshire will also address their playing slump.

"The on-field reorganisation and recruitment this winter under Kim Barnett's guidance should also ensure a far more competitive season on the pitch in 2017 and beyond," he said.