WORCESTERSHIRE chairman Stephen Taylor paid tribute to the impact at New Road of outgoing CEO Tom Scott as he announced plans to start the search for his successor.

Tom Scott has signalled his intention to leave the County at the end of a three-month notice period in December.

He initially replaced David Leatherdale on an interim basis in January 2016 before being appointed in a full-time capacity six months later.

Scott, who was previously a member of the strategic group and a main club sponsor via his Cotswold Group business, has overseen a promising overhaul of the commercial side of the club and began a process of improved governance to ensure the club is up to date.

Taylor said: "I'm really happy with what Tom has done. There were lots of things we knew we had to do off the pitch at the cricket club, very much on the commercial and governance side.

"Tom has helped us to complete a lot of those objectives including a rewrite of the club's constitution which is currently being prepared.

"He very much had the club at heart and has made a massive effort to interact and forge strong links with all of the groups involved in this wonderful cricket club - the supporters' association, the cricket board, vice presidents and the board.

"He has worked endlessly to communicate and keep those people up to date and involve them with this club.

"Now it's all about the next five years for our new chief executive. The club are in a much stronger position thanks in no small way to Tom's efforts."

Taylor explained the process for finding a potential replacement.

He said: "I have brought together a working group on behalf of the main board which will manage the process of securing a replacement.

"The group will be myself, vice-chairman Tim Curtis and audit chairman Fanos Hira and probably one other board member."

Worcestershire will explore external and internal candidates to find the right person to take them forward.