Les Platts named interim chairman of Lancashire after passing of David Hodgkiss

The former Deloitte senior partner has served on the Old Trafford side's board for seven years and will assume responsibilities with immediate effect

• Lancashire announce passing of chairman David Hodgkiss

Lancashire have announced the appointment of Les Platts as their acting chairman after the passing of David Hodgkiss earlier this week.

Platts has served on the county's board since 2013 after spending more than three decades as a chartered accountant with consulting giant Deloitte, where he collected significant experience advising businesses on risk management, finance and governance.

After retiring from a senior partner position with Deloitte in 2008, Platts has also served as chairman of Salford-based investment firm AJ Bell. He was also appointed Lancashire's treasurer in 2014.

Platts will now assume chairmanship duties with immediate effect, working with chief executive Daniel Gidney to help guide the club's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are still in shock regarding David's passing, but I know for a fact that he would want us to finish what we started and continue in our aim of making Lancashire the best club in the world," Gidney said in a statement.

"In the current and uncertain times it is appropriate that someone with Les'financial background and wealth of experience, combined with his knowledge of the Club, is put in place to lead the Board and help the Club to manoeuvre its way through what is uncharted territory over the coming weeks and months."

Platts added: "It is a great honour to be asked to take on this role albeit with huge sadness under the current circumstances. David was a truly fantastic man and chairman to this club and we will all miss him greatly.

"We shall, when it is possible, find ways of remembering him together and paying tribute to his immense contribution to our great club.

"I will work closely with Daniel and the executive team to steer the ship and ensure we come out of these challenging times with a positive outcome, continuing the great work that David and the team have undertaken over the last few years."

^{Platts image: Lancashire Cricket}