Nigel Gray will leave his role as Ageas Bowl head groundsman at the end of the 2015 season after 25 years service.
Current assistant head groundsman Karl McDermott will take over from Gray, who will be available to his successor on a part-time consultancy basis, from the start of 2016.
Gray’s pitch preparation on the south coast has been recognised in the past, claiming the ECB Groundsman of the Year Award on three occasions.
After securing the gong in 1995 and 1998 at Hampshire’s old home at Northlands Road, Gray also picked up the prize in 2014 for his work at the Ageas Bowl.
Gray said: “Being part of the Hampshire Cricket ‘team’ has been a big part of my life for many years for which I am very grateful.
“The position of head groundsman has given me the opportunity and the satisfaction of taking the Ageas Bowl pitches from open fields to Test match standard and to a level of consistency reflected in the Groundsman Award in 2014.
“This will be my 25th year as head groundsman and I feel the end of 2015 is the right time to step back from day-to-day involvement on the ground but I expect to be available in a role to support my successor in any way I can.”
Ageas Bowl chairman Rod Bransgrove added: “Nigel’s commitment and dedication to his role of head groundsman at Hampshire Cricket for 25 years has been outstanding.
“Nigel has played a key role in building the Ageas Bowl’s reputation as one of the best pitches in the country and hopefully he can have another excellent year and sign off in style.”