Sussex County Cricket’s chief executive Zac Toumazi is to leave the role at the end of the year after four years in this position.

Mr Toumazi has said it was a “difficult decision” to step down from the club in three months’ time.

He joined the club at the start of 2013 after wide ranging career in senior roles in investment banking and Hampshire Cricket Clubs.

During his tenure at the County Ground he led the integration of the professional, recreational and community cricket into one organisation, Sussex Cricket Limited, and its subsidiary, the Sussex Cricket Foundation, which was completed in November.

He said: “It has been a difficult decision to make but I do believe that it is right for me to move on and hand over the reins to a successor.

"The role of CEO of such a great club has been a privilege and an honour.

"I have enjoyed my time at Sussex and leave behind an excellent team that is set for the future.

"Our professional cricket is poised for exciting times ahead under the new management team, our academy is bearing fruit with the young players coming through the programme, and I am sure that trophies are not too far away.

“I take away many fond memories and lasting friendships.

"A special thank you to our members and partners who have been an absolute delight to interact with and who are always ready to support.

"I have no doubt that the future is bright for Good Old Sussex by The Sea.”

Chairman Jim May praised the outgoing chief executive.

He said: “Zac Toumazi has been a very professional and well respected chief executive who has brought great energy to the role and has been a great ambassador for Sussex.

"Aside from overseeing the ground-breaking formation of Sussex Cricket, Zac has accomplished much including the restructure of our pro-cricket department and has helped drive our commercial business.

“He will be rightly remembered as a man with strong values whose interpersonal skills have helped strengthen our relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

"Zac has been an excellent chief executive who leaves Sussex with our very best wishes, and, in very good shape for his successor.”