Sport
Ringing in a new era for Sussex Zac Toumazi, the new Chief Executive at Sussex County Cricket Club, is determined to raise the profile of the PROBIZ County Ground.
F
Words: Ian Trevett
Photo: Rosebery Images
our days into his new job, Absolute
outstanding job and I am in a very privileged
“The facts are that we are never going to
Brighton braved the rain to meet Zac
position.
host an Ashes Test, but we should be setting
Toumazi at the cricket club and we
“Sussex is in a great place and it is now about
ourselves out to be the venue of choice for
found a man who looks totally at home
taking it to the next level. I am the custodian
international teams coming to England.”
in his new work environment and is raring
of a cricket club with a great history, and
This year is, of course, a big year for
to go.
I must ensure that when the next Chief
international cricket at Hove with the visit
With a successful track record in investment
Executive takes over, he inherits a successful
of the Australians. With the loss of the Ashes,
banking at global giants Citigroup and
club.”
perhaps this is a good opportunity for Sussex
Goldman Sachs, Zac was not short of offers
As well as his extensive business experience,
to mark up a big win?
for roles in the commercial sector, but
Zac is well versed in the business of cricket,
“Never underestimate the Australians,” says
the lure of the sound of leather on willow
having held the position of commercial
Zac with a grin. “They will be really fired up
outweighed the big bucks.
director at both Hampshire and Surrey.
this summer and will be desperate to regain
“I am fortunate to be in a position of being
The challenges at Sussex are different, as
the Ashes. They will be hurting. But, of course,
able to choose a career move that inspires
the homely County Ground cannot hope to
we know that Sussex can give anyone a good
me, and it is a great privilege to be at Sussex.
compete with the international venues of his
game, and we have a chance against anyone.”
“My predecessor, Dave Brooks, has done an
former counties.
Although new to Sussex (Zac told us he
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06/02/2013 18:41