Ian is a passionate leader and has a long track record of successful contract management. With over 45 years experience within the leisure industry, Ian has amassed an extensive knowledge of the leisure market and leisure trusts.

From the position of Trainee Manager in a large multi-purpose council operated leisure centre, Ian’s career in the public sector culminated after 17 years as Assistant Director of Leisure Services for Lichfield District Council. In 1988, Ian transitioned into the private sector before moving to Serco Leisure 3 years later where he held roles as Director and then Managing Director. 

Contract negotiations featured high on his agenda as well as building long term successful relationships with clients.  He was instrumental in designing and implementing 17 Independent Trust Boards who subsequently engaged with Serco Leisure to exceed contract obligations through a Managing Agency Agreement. Ian retired as Managing Director from Serco Leisure in 2016 and was appointed as Chairman of Shropshire Community Trust in 2021.

Kate is a Leisure Business expert with over 30 years’ experience of working in the Leisure industry.  She has a passion for community wellbeing and providing excellent leisure facilities for people to use regardless of their physical ability or their ability to pay.

Kate has worked in many areas of Leisure over the years to include Contract and Facility Management, Business Development, Sales Marketing and Programming.

Kate has worked for the governing body of swimming (Swim England) as Head of Facilities and also for FINA the international federation as Honorary secretary for the facilities committee.

Kate has now moved into the world of design and manufacturing of swimming pools and uses her expertise in programming and facility management to ensure each project is perfectly designed to meet the requirements of the community, the operator, and the pool owner.

John retired in 2017 as Deputy Director of Leisure and wellbeing for West Lancashire Borough Council.  His career spans over 40 years working for four local authorities across the Merseyside area, including two Metropolitan Councils.

Moving to West Lancashire as the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services in 1991, John was instrumental in outsourcing the Council’s Leisure facilities to a private sector partner under a local trust arrangement.  John also oversaw the transfer to local community groups the Council’s community rooms and Civic Hall under either charitable trust, NPDO’s or CIC’s.

The position of Deputy Director for Leisure and Wellbeing brought together the environmental heath functions with the development of a Council wide health and wellbeing strategy with Leisure as the main focus for delivery. Working closely with the Director of Health for Lancashire John was key to delivering initiatives to improve health outcomes for residents.

Craig is a partner in a national law firm, and has almost twenty years’ experience of advising central and local government bodies, charities and private sector companies on major projects, commercial contracts and procurement matters. His work advising local authority clients led to his being named “Local Authority Lawyer of the Year” by Legal 500 in 2019.

Craig has particularly relevant experience of advising on leisure procurements, operating contracts and capital investments in the leisure sector. This experience includes leading on projects at the National Water Sports Centre and around ten local authority leisure procurements over recent years. As a result, he has a deep understanding of the commercial issues faced by leisure operators and client authorities, the contractual arrangements which underpin their operations, and the current Sport England standard form contracts.

Rebecca has over 25 years’ experience in the sports and leisure industry, spending over 20 years working for public and private operators specialising in aquatics, training and Education and leisure business management. She has extensive experience from a grassroots level through to executive roles.

Rebecca was appointed as Managing Director of the Institute of Swimming in 2016, having joined the organisation in 2013 as Head of Business Development. She is responsible for the strategic approach of the business ensuring the reach and influence of the Institute of swimming, across national and international markets. Responsible for leading the organisation through the commercial landscape, maximising opportunity whilst considering the requirements of the sport, challenging the status quo by questioning the norm, personalising offers and providing aquatic solutions for the sector. 

Diane has over 30 years’ experience of working in the leisure industry with 20 years in the public sector and over 10 years in the private sector.

Diane trained to be an accountant and commenced as Finance Officer in a local authority leisure department. Within the local authority, Diane rose to Head of Leisure and then to Assistant Director – Community Services.  After 20 years in public sector leisure and community services, Diane moved to the private sector where she took on a national role as Head of Sport & Community across over 60 leisure centres including the National Sports Centres – Bisham Abbey & Lilleshall.

Diane continues to work in the leisure industry, now focussing on community engagement and wellbeing working closely with National Governing Bodies, Sport England and Health Partnerships to support the less active to become more active, particularly women and children, those living in deprived communities and people with a disability or long- term health condition.