Warwickshire's head of marketing, Stuart Robertson, is to take up the role of commercial director at Rose Bowl plc, the parent company of Hampshire Cricket.

Robertson was bitterly disappointed to be overlooked for the chief executive's position at Edgbaston, the role filled by Colin Povey last week. An ambitious and talented man, 37-year-old Robertson had come to a realisation that his career at Warwickshire had plateaued.

"I was very flattered to receive an unsolicited approach from Hampshire at an opportune time," Robertson told The Post last night. "While it's true to say I would not have taken the job had I been appointed Warwick-shire's chief executive, my new role does represent a wonderful opportunity.

"Of course, I was disappointed to miss out on the chief executive job but I also understand the reasoning and believe that Warwickshire have made the right decision.

"Colin Povey will do an excellent job.

"Nobody has tried to persuade me to stay. They can see that this is a great opportunity and I feel they wish me well."

On the face of it, it may appear strange to leave a Test venue for a 'smaller' county. Not so, says Robertson. "Hampshire are actually a bigger club commercially. Although their cricket opera-tion may be a bit smaller, my role will also involve their golf course and catering business.

"By leaving, I will experience a different side to the business which will improve my skill-set. They are an ambitious club and an unfloated plc. Had I stayed, I suppose there would have been an element of more of the same.

"But this club gets under your skin. I've had a great few years and I'm sad to leave. It's a close-knit community. I've become a Bears fan and I will always have a soft spot for a special club."

As the man credited as the driving force behind Twenty20 cricket, Robertson's arrival at Edgbaston from the England and Wales Cricket

Board was a coup. He has achieved a great deal since that day in June 2003. In terms of modernising and rebranding the club while raising the profile of Edgbaston as a venue, he has been an unqualified success. His departure will be a blow to Povey's new regime.

Roberston is the fourth high-profile departure since last season. With a new captain, coach and chief executive, the club could do with a period of stability, although each vacancy also offers opportunity. So far, it appears to have recruited wisely.