The Somerset County Cricket Club (UK) has signed the largest single commercial deal in its 150-year history, it has announced.
‘SomersetLive’ stated that the historic West Country side has extended its long-term partnership with the financial services firm Cooper Associates Group until the end of the 2030 season.
The Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first-class County Clubs within the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales (UK). It represents the historic County of Somerset. Founded in 1875, Somerset was initially regarded as a Minor County until the official first-class status was acquired in 1895. Somerset has competed in the County Championship since 1891 and has subsequently played in every top-level domestic cricket competition in England although it has never won the County Championship.
The County Ground, known for sponsorship reasons as the Cooper Associates County Ground, is a cricket ground in Taunton, Somerset (UK). It is the home of the Somerset County Cricket Club who have played there since 1882. The ground, which is located between the Priory Bridge Road and the St James Street, has a capacity of 8,500.
The County Championship is a first-class cricket competition in England and Wales. Established in 1890 and organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) it is the world’s first domestic cricket tournament. The tournament is contested by 18 clubs representing 17 of the historic Counties of England and one from Wales. The reigning champions are the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.
Taunton (UK)-based the Cooper Associates Group starts from the simple principle that every client should be treated as their only client and their foundations are based on trust, experience and outstanding service. They deliver financial advice from their three distinct brands.
During the past 10 years the Cooper Associates Group has experienced significant growth, expansion and evolution including:
- Continual development of the services across Mortgages, Wealth Management and Accountancy;
- Ongoing investment in its Taunton headquarters and regional presence;
- Expansion across the Southwest including the opening of the Cheltenham and Bristol offices;
- National recognition and industry awards for excellence in financial services, most notably winning the ‘Best Mortgage Adviser in the UK 2025’ at the ESTAs Awards (recognized service excellence across the property sector);
- Substantial growth in team size with 96 more members of the staff compared to 2016;
- Raising over £160,000 in support of 45 different causes through the Cooper Associates Foundation supported by the Trustees including Tom Abell; and
- Evolution into one of St. James’s Place largest Partner Practices with over £1.2bn in Funds under Management.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body of cricket in England and Wales (UK). It was formed on January 1st,1997 as a single governing body to combine the roles formerly fulfilled by the Test and County Cricket Board, the National Cricket Association and the Cricket Council. In April 1998, the Women’s Cricket Association was integrated into the organization. The ECB’s head offices are at the 31,100-capacity Lord’s Cricket Ground in North-West London.
‘SomersetLive’ further stated that the renewed agreement will see the Taunton-headquartered business continue as the club’s Ground Naming Rights Partner and follows a decade-long partnership.
Since joining forces with the Cooper Associates in 2016, the Somerset County Cricket Club has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history, including clinching wins at the 2019 Royal London One Day Cup, and the 2023 and 2025 Vitality Blast.
The Royal London One Day Cup is a limited overs cricket competition of 50 overs. As the name suggests the tournament is played between the England and Wales first-class Counties.
The T20 Blast, also known as the Vitality Blast for sponsorship reasons, is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in England and Wales (UK). The competition was established by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2003.
Jamie Cox, the club’s Chief Executive, said the extension of the agreement reflected a “shared belief in the long-term growth, excellence and innovation. Over the past decade the Cooper Associates Group has played an integral role in supporting the club’s ambitions both on and off the field. This partnership has always been about more than naming rights – it’s built on shared values, mutual trust and a genuine commitment to our community. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, from silverware on the field to establishing the Cooper Associates County Ground as one of the most respected venues in the United Kingdom.”
The Cooper Associates County Ground has become a major venue for the sporting and other events in the last decade. It has hosted three International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s World Cup matches, one Men’s IT20 International, two Women’s Test matches, five Women’s One-Day Internationals, seven ICC Women’s World Cup matches, six Women’s IT20 internationals, and a major arena concert by the international music superstar Lionel Richie.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body of the sport of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by the Australian, the English and the South African representatives. In 1965, the body was renamed the International Cricket Conference and its current name was adopted in 1987. The ICC has its headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Megan Barton, Marketing Director at Cooper Associates Group, said the company was “incredibly proud” to mark 10 years of partnership with the Somerset club and to extend its ground sponsorship.
She said, “Over the past decade both our organizations have experienced significant growth and have celebrated meaningful achievements, yet what has remained constant is the strong alignment of our values and our shared commitment to excellence.”
Barton also said the Cooper Associates was “excited” about the future, especially its wider sponsorship of the English cricketers Tom Banton, Jack Leach and Thomas and James Rew.
She added, “This partnership has always been about more than sponsorship alone. It reflects a mutual belief in ambition, integrity and the power of sport to bring people together. As we have evolved that shared foundation has only strengthened.”
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