Lancashire Cricket’s longstanding chief executive Daniel Gidney has announced he will retire at the end of the year and leave the club after 14 years in the role.
Gidney joined Lancashire Cricket in November 2012 at a time when the club was close to insolvency, had lost its Test Match status, and was operating a venue in need of significant investment. In the 14 years since his appointment, the club has increased commercial revenues from £9 million to £35 million in 2025, transforming the Red Rose County from a position of financial instability to a stable and sustainable platform.
He played an instrumental role in the £75 million redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford, which now boasts some of the finest facilities in the country, including an on-site 250-bed Hilton Garden Inn hotel. He has also worked closely with Lancashire County Council on the development of the club’s second ground at Farington, a project costing over £20 million.
On the field, Lancashire Lightning won the Vitality Blast in 2015, while the Red Rose secured the County Championship Division Two title on two occasions, with a further promotion also achieved. Lancashire Women – who turned fully professional last year – achieved a historic double in 2025, winning both the Metro Bank One-Day Cup and the Vitality T20 County Cup.
The growth and development of the women’s game has been one of the most significant aspects of Gidney’s tenure and he has been a leader in this space and a strong advocate for the women’s game. He has also driven gender equity at both board and executive level, creating one of the most gender-diverse leadership groups in UK elite sport, while also strengthening the board with a broader and more diverse mix of skills and experience to support the club’s next phase of growth.
Gidney played a leading role in securing investment in Manchester Originals last year, alongside the RPSG Group. At a valuation in excess of £100 million – the highest outside London – the club’s partnership with the RPSG Group strengthens the long-term potential of Manchester Super Giants and creates a transformational opportunity for Lancashire Cricket.
Following his distinguished 36-year career in sport, including two decades as chief executive at the Ricoh Arena and Lancashire Cricket, Gidney made the decision to retire earlier this year, ahead of pre-season activities, giving the club nearly a full year to identify and appoint a successor for 2027.
He said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as chief executive of Lancashire Cricket for 14 years. Throughout my tenure, I have been acutely aware of my responsibility as a custodian of the club and have always aimed to leave it in a stronger position than the one I inherited.
“Highlights include hosting major matches such as Ashes Tests and World Cup fixtures, the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford, seeing both our men’s and women’s teams win trophies, and the creation of Farington as our new high-performance facility..
Gidney singled out the success of the women’s team as a source of particular pride: “I’ve said previously that watching our women’s team win the double was one of my career highlights because of the journey we’ve been on over the last decade,” he explained. “It has taken blood, sweat, and tears to reach this point, and I would say I am particularly proud of what we have achieved to get to where we are now.”
He also acknowledged that his tenure at the club had not been entirely plain sailing: “As with anything, it has not been easy, and we have faced some incredibly challenging times throughout my time at Emirates Old Trafford,” he said. “Losing my mentor and the club’s then chair, David Hodgkiss, in March 2020, and the period around COVID-19 and our cancelled India Test Match, would certainly stand out.
“This has been a big decision, but I feel it is the right time to hand over the reins, leaving the Club in a strong financial position to build on. I have loved being part of the Red Rose for all these years and am proud of the players, coaches, and all staff – past and present – for their hard work and commitment, and for allowing me to be their teammate for such a long time.
“The club is entering a new era of financial stability, providing a strong platform to drive our on-field ambitions forward, with continued significant investment in player recruitment, development, and cricket infrastructure – and I think the future is incredibly bright for the Red Rose.”
