Rob Andrew looks a great fit at Hove – according to the Brighton-based international sportsman to whom he gave a big break.

Former England Sevens rugby skipper Ollie Phillips believes Andrew has all the qualities to impress as chief executive with Sussex.

Andrew was the director of rugby who first took Phillips north to play in the threequarters for Newcastle Falcons.

Both men have gone on to spread their wings impressively since then with Phillips branching into sevens, media roles and huge amounts of charity work.

He told The Argus last night: “Rob was the guy who brought me in at Newcastle.

“It’s the perfect position for him. He’s a great manager, great to be the face of the club.

“It really fits. He will help them grow as a cricket club and go back to former glories.

“He has played at the highest level of sport and he knows what to do to win.

“But he has also got that business background.

“Remember he came through the era when we switched from amateur to professional.

“He has both perspectives.”

Phillips highlighted why a role overseeing various aspects of Sussex’s business on and off the field is well suited to Andrew.

He said: “At Newcastle, the director of rugby role really suited him.

“I’m not saying he was a bad coach but it wasn’t his real element.

“What he was brilliant at was making sure all the moving parts were working and going in the right direction.

“He was the ultimate manager, the public face of things.

“He wasn’t the man to say, ‘This is how we’ll beat the All Blacks on Saturday.

“He was the man to put a strategic infrastructure in place from which you could move on.

“He was part of that whole dynasty which Eddie Jones is reaping benefit from now.”

Andrew is best known for his oval ball achievements but has a top first-class score of 101 not out for Cambridge University against Nottinghamshire in 1984.

He was a left-handed bat and bowled right arm spin.

Phillips said: “It doesn’t matter whether it is rugby or cricket. It’s how you put a programme in place to be successful.”