Shorts: Lancashire Cricket, Sodexo Live, World Nineball Tour
Lancashire Cricket have appointed Dame Sarah Storey as Interim Chair after Andy Anson OBE stepped down from the position.
Anson announced his resignation at a board meeting on 7th July, effective after the India Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford. His departure followed his recent appointment to a full-time role at private equity firm BD Capital and his earlier decision to step down as CEO of the British Olympic Association.
Anson had served as Chair since November 2020, providing strategic leadership during a period of growth that included the completion of the Hilton Garden Inn extension in 2023 and the planned opening of the Farington facility in 2026.
His tenure also saw increased investment in the club’s women’s teams, the acquisition of Manchester Originals in partnership with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, and initiatives to recognise the club’s heritage, including the renaming of stands after Sir Clive Lloyd and Farokh Engineer.
Dame Sarah Storey, Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, will serve as Interim Chair following board approval, having stepped down as the club’s President. Her appointment will remain in place until the next Annual General Meeting. Earlier this year, Storey received the Outstanding Contribution Award at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards 2025 in recognition of her impact across sport and society.
Dame Sarah Storey said, “Andy’s impact during his time as Chair has been remarkable and I have been fortunate to witness this first hand during my time as President.
Everyone is incredibly grateful for the service he’s shown to the Club, and we approach the next phase in a great place thanks to his leadership.”
Hospitality provider Sodexo Live! has appointed Jason Mumby as its new Growth Director for the UK & Ireland.
In his new role, Mumby will lead the business development and sales functions, reporting to CEO Claire Morris and joining the executive team. He brings experience from roles within the events and hospitality industries, most recently serving as Client Development and Strategy Director at an industry competitor.
Mumby will focus on accelerating the growth of Sodexo Live! across its event, sports, leisure and cultural venue portfolio. The business works with a number of UK and Ireland sports venues and events, including Ascot Racecourse, Henley Royal Regatta, Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
Jason Mumby, Growth Director, Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, said, “Joining Sodexo Live! at this exciting stage is a fantastic opportunity. The business has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional experiences at some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic venues.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team to expand our reach, strengthen client partnerships, and bring innovative, insight-driven solutions to the live events and hospitality sector.”
The World Nineball Tour has secured a two-year title sponsorship deal with sports media site LiveSB.io
The World Nineball Tour, launched by UK-based sports promotion company Matchroom in 2023, has secured a two-year title sponsorship agreement with LiveSB.io.
The partnership will cover two key events on the international pool calendar: the inaugural Florida Open Pool Championship and the US Open Pool Championship, scheduled for August 2025.
The LiveSB.io Florida Open Pool Championship will take place from 5th-10th August, followed by the LiveSB.io US Open Pool Championship from 18th-23rd August. Both tournaments will be broadcast globally through the World Nineball Tour’s established media network, supplemented by digital content aimed at expanding the sport’s reach.
This deal comes amid increased interest in cue sports in the UK, where Matchroom continues to drive growth through media rights and event promotion, contributing to the broader rise of niche sports gaining international broadcast exposure.
Subscribe to the Sport Industry Daily for regular updates on the biggest stories and latest news in the sport industry.
