A BUSINESSMAN has joined the board of directors at Salisbury FC.

Ian Hammond, who lives in Ringwood, will work with the consortium board on day-to-day matters as well as using his business acumen to drive the club forward.

Talking on Hammond's appointment, chairman David Phillips said: “I have known Ian for more than 10 years and have the greatest of respect for him and all that he has achieved in his business life."

"I am looking forward to working with him and I am certain that his knowledge and experience will be of tremendous benefit to the club."

After qualifying as an actuary in 1973, he went onto join UK Provident (later Friends Provident) in Salisbury.

He later become a managing director of James Hay and, in 2006, he led a management buy-out of part of the business to form a new company, Rowanmoor Group PLC. He remained managing director of Rowanmoor until he retired in July 2016 when the company was acquired by Embark Group.

Apart from his love of the Whites and his home club Tranmere Rovers, Hammond is a keen follower of cricket.