Gidney leaving Ricoh Arena for Lancs cricket job

RICOH Arena CEO Daniel Gidney is leaving the role to take up a new position as chief executive of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

He will replace Lancs’ veteran chief executive Jim Cumbes, who is retiring at the end of the year. Cumbes is a former Aston Villa and West Brom goalkeeper and he also played cricket for Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

During six years at the helm of the Ricoh Arena – home of Coventry City FC – Gidney has been responsible for attracting high-profile sporting events, including the Olympic Games (football) and the Rugby World Cup.

And high profile gigs from the likes of Coldplay and hometown heroes The Specials have put the Ricoh on the music map.

Gidney has a track record for maximising revenue streams for non-matchday hospitality, conferencing and events – which will be vital to Lancashire after the major investment to upgrade Old Trafford.

Gidney joins Lancashire at a key time – the club will unveil its new pavilion in the Spring before hosting the eagerly-anticipated return of the Ashes in August.

LCCC chairman Michael Cairns OBE said: “We are delighted to appoint Daniel whose experience and track record in overseeing a highly-regarded sporting venue will serve our business well as we embark on a new and exciting era.

“With the next stage of our development due to be completed next year and the much-anticipated return of the Ashes next summer, Daniel is joining Lancashire County Cricket Club at a key moment in our history.”

Cairns also paid warm tribute to Cumbes, chief executive at Lancashire since 1998.

“Jim was a key member of the team throughout what has been a monumental period for the club which saw us ultimately overcome a number of potentially devastating hurdles to be in the position where we are today: having a world-class stadium, Club and business that we can all be proud of,” he said.