Paul Sheldon steps down as Surrey chief executive

Sheldon has been at Surrey for 16 years

Paul Sheldon has announced he is to stand down from his role as Surrey chief executive.

Sheldon, who has been in the job since 1995, will leave in March.

"I have stood down because I believe I have taken the club as far as I can, and that now is the right time to hand over the reins," he said.

"It has been a privilege to have served as chief executive of one of the greatest clubs in the world and to have worked with so many talented people."

During Sheldon's tenure Surrey have won three County Championship titles - in 1999, 2000 and 2002 - but have struggled to replicate that form in recent years.

They were relegated to Division Two in 2008 and, despite making a number of high-profile signings last season including Rory Hamilton-Brown, Chris Tremlett, Steven Davies and Gareth Batty, they finished eighth in the league and failed to progress past the group stages in both the FP t20 and Clydesbank Bank 40.

Sheldon added: "I am very proud of what we have achieved. Most especially, I remember the winning era of the great Adam Hollioake side; the building of the iconic OCS Stand and the historic Ashes winning years of 2005 and 2009.

"When I formally leave at the end of March, I will be wishing [chairman] Richard Thompson and everyone connected with the club - particularly the players, the very best of fortune in the years to come."