Surrey chairman Michael Soper has been confirmed as chairman of the First Class Forum and deputy chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

He succeeds the new ECB chairman David Morgan in both roles.

Soper will take up the positions on 1 January 2003, when Morgan assumes the Chairmanship of the ECB.

He will hold the roles for an initial one-year term, completing Morgan's current two-year terms in both offices.

Future appointees will serve a normal two-year term in these positions.

"It's a great honour to become chairman of the First Class Forum," Soper said.

"My aim is to ensure that the future of county cricket is safe, to improve the facilities at grounds for our members and supporters, and to put county cricket firmly at the forefront of all sports."