Plans to expand the home of Gloucester Rugby Football Club (GRFC) are set to take a step forward following the announcement that Martin St Quinton has joined the club's board.

The communications tycoon has purchased a 25 per cent stake from owner, Tom Walkinshaw, and has expressed a commitment to redevelop the club's Kingsholm ground, which can currently hold 16,000 spectators.

St Quinton said: "Tom has done a huge amount for the club over the last decade and I want to support him to take the club to the next level – a level where we can challenge the best in Europe over the long-term.

"The club owns its own ground at Kingsholm and the priority will be to increase the stadium's capacity to 20,000, thereby providing the financial backbone to enable the club to consistently win trophies."

Walkinshaw said: "Any major off-field development such as this is extremely important for any club. Martin's involvement comes at a vital time for the club when we are growing and developing faster than at any time in our history."