Jim May has confirmed his intention to step down as Sussex chairman next year.

May will not stand for re-election at Sussex’s AGM in March having presided over a rollercoaster period in the club’s history since replacing David Green in August 2008.

Sussex won the Twenty20 Cup for the first time in May’s first full season at the helm in 2009 and he also oversaw the redevelopment of Hove.

May has also had to deal with a match-fixing scandal involving former players Naved Arif and Lou Vincent, the tragic death of Matt Hobden and a downturn in fortunes on the pitch in the last few years.

He said: “It has been an incredible honour to be chairman of Sussex for more than eight years but I think it is the right time to pass on the baton. Sport is no different to other businesses in that you need to refresh and reinvigorate for things to keep moving forward.

“I’ve been involved at boardroom level at Sussex since 1997 so 20 years is a pretty good innings and after eight years as chairman I feel privileged to being able to choose the timing of my departure.”

May moved to Sussex in 1972 and played a pivotal role in the infamous revolution at Hove in 1997 when together with Robin Marler and Tony Piggott he helped overthrow the club’s committee.

He served as a board member for the next 11 years during the most successful period in the club’s history as Sussex won the County Championship for the first time in 2003 and added a further two titles in 2006 and 2007.

May added: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sussex. When I initially got involved in 1996 it was because the wheels were coming off and we wanted to help the club become more successful.

“Things worked out even better than we could have hoped as the measures we put in place helped Sussex win more trophies than the club had previously in its whole history.

“Since becoming chairman we’ve had further success on the field by winning the Twenty20 Cup and Hove has undergone a major redevelopment so that in my opinion it is the best non-international ground in the country.

“I am also hugely proud of being part of the formation of Sussex Cricket Limited which has brought the professional and recreational game in the county closer together than it has ever been before.

“I am confident I will leave strong foundations for the future. Rob Andrew is set to take over from Zac Toumazi as chief executive in January and we have the most exciting crop of youngsters I have seen in my 40 years watching Sussex.”