KEITH Loring has promised more of the same when he takes over as Derbyshire's new chief executive.

The county club opted for continuity by moving quickly to appoint Loring to replace Tom Sears, who is heading down under to be part of New Zealand Cricket's commercial expansion.

Loring has been a key member of the off-the-field changes at the County Ground as the head of their commercial department since 2003, working closely with Sears and chairman Don Amott to turn a failing club into a thriving one.

He was Amott's recommendation to take over from Sears and has won the committee's approval. That means there will be a seamless transition when Sears leaves the club a week on Friday.

The fact that Loring is already deeply involved in and has a good working knowledge of present and future projects at the club makes him the safe pair of hands Amott believes the club needs at this stage.

"Keith has been in all the meetings and understands the direction the club is taking," he said. "Tom Sears will be a big loss to Derbyshire but there is no doubt in my mind that Keith is the right man to replace him."

Loring spent 10 years with Brentford Football Club before spending seven years as chief executive of Derby County, during which time his administration oversaw the smooth transition from the Baseball Ground to Pride Park.

With ground development moves in the air for Derbyshire, that will be valuable experience.

"I know very well that the facilities we have at the County Ground can only take the club so far," Loring said.

"By 2010, we will have more Twenty20 cricket and if we don't act to take the club forward, we are going to miss out.

"I have been working very closely with Tom and Don to look into how we carry out the ground development and, I know it suits my purpose to say this, but the club does not need any change at the moment.

"It works very well as it is. I want to put my own stamp on the job, of course, but there is not going to be any big change. There doesn't have to be."

One thing Loring has never professed to be is a cricket expert but he says he does not expect to be at a disadvantage when representing Derbyshire at national meetings.

"It's true I couldn't spot a cricketer at 100 yards but I believe running a sports club is largely a matter of common sense, no matter what sport you are involved in," he added.

"Don't forget Tom was a commercial manager before he came to Derby and he certainly wasn't out of his depth at these meetings.

"I'm a good listener and a quick learner."