ESSEX Cricket are hoping new chief executive Derek Bowden will offer the best of both worlds.

Bowden will take up his position in early in the new season and brings a wealth of business and sporting experience with him.

He spent more than 18 years in various senior management roles at advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi and was chief executive officer at Ipswich Town.

And Essex Cricket chairman Nigel Hilliard believes Bowden is the ideal man to take the county club forward.

“Derek has a wealth of experience in the commercial and sporting world, which will be of great benefit to the club at a time when we are embarking on a major redevelopment of The Essex County Ground,” said Hilliard.

“Once completed the stadium will be a fitting centrepiece to the new City of Chelmsford.”

Bowden said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the team at Essex and working with them to create the success that Essex Cricket deserves.”

While at Portman Road, Bowden successfully restructured the finances of the Championship side.

He spearheaded commercial activities and also managed the playing budget.

Bowden takes over from former chief executive David East, who left Essex at the end of last year following 12 year in the post. He has taken up a similar post in Abu Dhabi.