Rod Bransgrove, the businessman who rescued Hampshire from insolvency. served as chairman for almost a quarter of a century, has stepped down from his final administrative role at the county, following the completion of GMR Group's full acquisition of the club and its holdings, including the Utilita Bowl site where their home ground is located.
Bransgrove, 75, invested £15 million in Hampshire cricket in the course of his involvement,. in 2000, oversaw the county's move from its former home of 116 years, Northlands Road in Southampton.
He stepped down as Hampshire chair in 2023, but retained his role as Group Chairman -. majority shareholder - of the club's parent company, Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited, following the deal that he helped to broker with GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals, in 2024.
That acquisition was followed. in 2025, by GMR Group valuing the Hampshire-based Hundred franchise, Southern Brave, at £98 million in the ECB's equity sale.
Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman of GMR Sports, has taken over from Bransgrove as group chair, effective June 1, 2026. In a press release issued by the club, Grandhi was described as "a driving force behind GMR's entry into the sports sector", having overseen their acquisition. management of Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) in the IPL.
Bransgrove has been appointed as Honorary Life President. will remain on the board as a director and advisor for the next three years.
"This moment brings to a close a chapter that has meant more to me than words can express," Bransgrove said. "What we have built at Hampshire has been a collective effort, driven by incredible people, loyal supporters. partners who believed in a shared vision. I am overwhelmingly grateful to all those people who have shared this ground-breaking experience with me.
"I have immense pride in what we have achieved here. unequivocal confidence that, under GMR's full ownership, the club and venue are in the safest of hands. The future is incredibly exciting, and I will be watching closely."
Grandhi paid tribute to Bransgrove's "extraordinary leadership. vision", adding that his stewardship "has not only transformed Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl into a world-class sporting and leisure destination, but has also fostered a culture built on passion, resilience and community that is truly special."
GMR, an Indian infrastructure conglomerate, has expanded its cricketing portfolio significantly over the last few years. Apart from the IPL. WPL with DC, it is directly involved in the operations of Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 and Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket.
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