LOCAL businessman and lifelong Worcestershire supporter Tom Scott has been appointed as the County's interim chief executive for the next six months.

Worcester-born Scott will take the reins in March from David Leatherdale, who is leaving to become chief executive officer of the Professional Cricketers' Association, after working alongside him for the next two months.

The 56-year-old, a former police detective, founded the Cotswold Group - the UK's leading company in surveillance, fraud and intelligence services - in 1990.

By the time the Cotswold Group was acquired by G4S - the world's largest security company - in 2011, it employed more than 300 full-time staff with offices in Gloucester, London, Manchester and Norwich.

Cotswold Group were Worcestershire's main sponsor for a three-year period from 2009.

Now Scott, who was educated at Nunnery Wood Secondary School, is a member of the County's informal strategic group.

His love affair with the club stretches back to the days of Glenn Turner, Vanburn Holder and Basil D'Oliveira and he used to play cricket on the outfield during intervals in play.

Scott is relishing the challenges that lie ahead at New Road of the club which holds a special place in his heart.

He said "Replacing David is a hard act for anyone to try and follow.

"I am clear on what needs to be done and hope to continue to help this great club run smoothly during the next six months, continuing the excellent work David and the team have been doing in recent years.

"I have gained experience within the local and national business community over a number of years whilst running my own business.

"This has hopefully provided me with the qualities needed for this role and should stand me in good stead.

"I already have close links with the club as part of an informal strategic group, which has and is looking at the long term future of the club.

"I am looking forward to working alongside David for the next few weeks and learning more about the ins and outs of how the club structure operates and continuing the good work which is evident for all to see.”

Worcestershire chairman Stephen Taylor said: "I said when David announced that he was leaving that enormous shoes would have to be filled.

"But it is reassuring to know that we have someone filling those shoes for the interim period in Tom Scott who cares passionately for the club and has done so since he was a young boy.

"He has superb business expertise of his own from being CEO with the Cotswold Group, a business he founded himself and built into the UK's market leader in its particular field.

"I am sure he will look to do as equally as effective a job at New Road for at least the six month interim period and will also learn plenty from David before he departs at the end of March."