Brooks appointed Sussex CEO

Sussex were disappointing in last year's LV County Championship but lifted the NatWest Pro40 title

David Brooks has been appointed as the new chief executive of Sussex.

Brooks, 41, a former chief executive of the Finsbury Food Group, will take up the position from January 1, 2009.

A qualified accountant and keen club cricketer, Brooks replaces Gus Mackay, who departed Hove for Surrey in September.

Brooks said: “I am delighted to be joining Sussex at this time of great change and massive opportunity.

“My key role is to provide a strong financial footing for the county club, which will enable Mark Robinson and Mike Yardy to build on the recent successes, whilst forging closer links with the community and the recreational game.

“Cricket has always been my one passion and I cannot wait to get started.”

Brooks was part of a team which purchased Memory Lane Cakes in 1997 and turned it from a loss-making business to a successful venture.

He led Finsbury Food for six years, playing the leading role in building it up to a business with a £200m turnover.

One of Brooks’ main priorities in his new position is the development of Sussex’s county ground at Hove.

David Brooks' arrival follows the naming of Michael Yardy as captain for next season

“I have wanted to use my business knowledge in this field,” he added.

“Both cricket and bakery are about consumers. We have to give people services they enjoy.

“We have to improve our revenue streams, which is about doing a thousand little things better.

“We’ve appointed consultants to advise us on our options about Hove and we need to create a sustainable business model.”

Sussex chairman Jim May said: “We were looking for a leader who can build our commercial business and oversee the ground redevelopment in order to finance the strong cricket culture in Sussex.

“Dave impressed us with his personal qualities and his track record. I am extremely pleased that we have managed to recruit someone of Dave’s calibre.

“The county club faces the many uncertainties in the world of cricket and a challenging economic climate.

“It does so in good heart, having built a strong management team to complement a very well-regarded professional setup.”