Surrey County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Brit Insurance Holdings plc (‘Brit’), the UK general insurer, is to become the new Club and Ground sponsor from start of the 2004 domestic season.

The agreement, which will provide sponsorship revenue of £500,000 per year to the Club, is the largest of its kind in English cricket and will see the famous arena renamed ‘The Brit Oval’. Brit’s commercial rights also include the right to brand Surrey CCC’s white and coloured shirt.

Paul Sheldon, Chief Executive, Surrey County Cricket Club said:

‘This is one of the most important commercial partnerships in the history of the Club. We are looking forward to working closely with the Brit team in delivering this fantastic sponsorship opportunity. This new partnership could not have come at a better time as next week work starts on our ambitious redevelopment of the Vauxhall End of the ground. The support we will now receive from Brit will ensure that the Brit Oval maintains its pre-eminence as one of the world’s leading Test venues.’

Neil Eckert Chief Executive, Brit Insurance said:

‘Brit is delighted to confirm this exciting sponsorship of Surrey County Cricket Club and The Brit Oval.’

‘Together with WSM, the sports marketing consultancy, we analysed a number of sponsorship opportunities. An association with one of the leading County Cricket Clubs and International Test grounds proved a natural fit for the Brit brand, and the Club’s proximity to the city provides us with a valuable opportunity to communicate with a key target audience.’

Brit will also work closely with the Club to further develop and strengthen their community projects throughout Surrey and South London, working with children and grass roots cricket.

For further information please contact:

Johnny Grave
Communications Manager
0207 820 5763
07768 558 038

Peter Rigby
Haggie Financial
020 7417 8989

Tom Maidment
WSM Sport
020 7592 717