Bransgrove severs final ties with Hampshire as GMR complete acquisition
Bransgrove severs final ties with Hampshire as GMR complete acquisition
Rod Bransgrove, the businessman who rescued Hampshire from insolvency and 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, and in 2000, oversaw the county’s move from its former home of 116 years, Northlands Road in Southampton.
A Legacy of Transformation
He stepped down as Hampshire chair in 2023, but retained his role as Group Chairman – and 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.
A New Era Begins
Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman 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 and management of Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) in the IPL.
Bransgrove has been appointed as Honorary Life President, and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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.’
- Key highlights of Rod Bransgrove’s tenure at Hampshire include:
- Investing £15 million in Hampshire cricket
- Overseeing the county’s move to the Utilita Bowl site
- Brokerking the deal with GMR Group in 2024
The future of Hampshire Cricket looks bright under the ownership of GMR Group, and fans will be eager to see what the new era holds for the club.
