Kent Cricket chief executive Jamie Clifford is to leave after 15 years at the club to take up a senior role at Marylebone Cricket Club.

Mr Clifford has been in the post since taking the role on an interim basis in 2009 before his permanent appointment in 2010.

Before that, he served as cricket development director for Kent Cricket Board and had a brief spell as business development director.

During his spell as CEO, Clifford has overseen an improvement in the club’s financial performance and the £10 million redevelopment of The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, renamed in 2013 thanks to a partnership with major sponsors Shepherd Neame.

The club’s second home of The County Ground, Beckenham also now boasts a 2,000-seater stand, indoor school and function centre.

Mr Clifford said: “It will of course be a great wrench to leave Kent Cricket. To have been Chief Executive of the Club I have supported all my life has been a huge privilege.

“I have relished the challenges that it has thrown up. Kent Cricket will always be in my blood and I look forward to returning to the ranks of the Club’s fine support.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who have made my time so enjoyable and contributed to some very special moments.

“The supporters, members, staff, players and Committee have all given so much, in their own ways, to mean I will only ever look back with happy memories. I know too, that with the many good people involved with the Club, it will continue to thrive.”

Mr Clifford has been appointed assistant secretary (membership and operations) at Marylebone Cricket Club. He said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead at what is a very exciting time for Lord’s Cricket Ground.”

Kent Cricket Chairman Simon Philip said: “All at Kent Cricket will miss Jamie hugely and he leaves with our warmest good wishes and congratulations at having secured such a prestigious role.

“He has played a vital role in the transformation of the Club and brought great commitment, loyalty and skill to his work, while always treating everybody with respect and friendliness.

“All of the major advancements at the Club in recent years – the redevelopments at Canterbury and Beckenham, the merger of the Club with the Kent Cricket Board and the financial turnaround have Jamie’s hallmark.

“His work with the recreational game, before and after becoming CEO, should not be forgotten and is a key reason that community cricket thrives in Kent.

“Jamie will always be welcome at Kent Cricket and hopefully we will see plenty of him in his new role as a lifelong supporter.”

Operations director Ben Green will assume the chief executive’s duties in February 2018.