Payne confirmed as CEO at loss-declaring Northants

Ray Payne has been confirmed as the new chief executive of Northamptonshire but inherits a testing financial position after the club declared a loss of £305, 636 for 2014.

Payne, a Northampton local, took up the role on an interim basis following the departure of David Smith in November. Payne's background is in the hospitality and leisure industry, most notably as managing director of the Champneys Group.

He has been brought in to bring commercial vision to the club. A turnaround is certainly needed after disappointing financial results. Tim Robinson, a member of the club's board, warned that a similar deficit is expected in 2015.

The club have invested in the facilities at Wantage Road with new stands and a revamped hospitality suite now in place. As part of a five-year plan, Payne has plans for a Jazz Club at the ground and a possible festival to attract more people.

A number of senior players were let go at the end of last season after Northants' relegation, easing pressure on the wage bill and affording the county a chance to rebuild with a younger squad focused on home-grown players.

Club chairman Gavin Warren and other Northants officials recently met with new ECB chief executive Tom Harrison and incoming chairman Colin Graves. "They were very supportive and it was apparent that we're not the only club facing financial challenges," Warren said. "We asked them if they see a future with 18 first-class counties and a future for Northamptonshire - and they said yes. But there's no doubt that cricket in this country is set for radical change. A paper is due to be presented later this year."