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Mark Nicholas is no longer serving as the board chair for Southern Brave. His resignation coincides with his getting ready to become chair of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord’s and may acquire a majority stake in London Spirit.
During his playing career, Nicholas captained Hampshire; he is good friends with Rod Bransgrove, the former chairman of the club. Prior to the Hundred’s debut, he was named chair of Southern Brave, a team that is jointly owned by Hampshire and Sussex. However, he has since resigned from that position in acknowledgment of his increasing commitment with MCC.
Southern Brave filed paperwork to Companies House last week stating that Nicholas has resigned as a director of the company. An MCC spokesperson told, “We can confirm that Mark has left his role as chair of Southern Brave. There aren’t currently any plans for him to join the board of London Spirit.”
Since last year, Nicholas has served as MCC president. In October, he will assume the role of chair. He has been heavily involved in the club’s communications with members over the impending changes to the Hundred teams’ ownership model. It is anticipated that the ECB will give their hosts, in this case London Spirit’s MCC, a 51% interest in the teams.
Since late last year, MCC members have deliberated over the prospect of acquiring a share in London Spirit, and club treasurer Chris Rogers chairs a “Hundred working group.” Nicholas has told members he likes the concept of the club uniting to support a single team under its flag and has expressed interest in MCC becoming majority shareholders.