Newcomers add their expertise to leisure services

Ashford Leisure Trust (ALT), the organisation that operates Ashford’s Stour Centre and the Julie Rose Stadium, has appointed a new chairman and five new trustees.

Ashford-born businessman Ian Bull has been appointed as the Trust’s new chairman.

He said: “The role that ALT plays in operating the town’s key leisure services is a crucial one. As Ashford grows and expands the demand for quality, affordable leisure services will increase dramatically and we need to ensure that the provision keeps up with demand. This will require a major investment in the facilities, as well as enhanced outreach programmes to deliver the health and wellbeing agenda.

“As a trust we looked very carefully at the skills, experience and expertise that we need on the board to deliver our ambitions over the next few years, and we have appointed five new trustees who bring that expertise in their specialist areas.”

The newly appointed trustees are:

Brendan Morrissey – an Ashford resident and professional accountant

Cllr Philip Sims – Ashford Borough Councillor for Kennington Ward

David Hill OBE – Former chief executive of Ashford Borough Council

Charlie Vavasour – MD of Ashford-based PR & Marketing agency, Quantum PR

Linda Dodds – former NHS health professional and Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

The new trustees join longstanding trustees Ian Kirkland and vice-chairman David Waterfield to complete the board.

Mr Kirkland is a qualified solicitor and former Director of Community Services at Ashford Borough Council. Mr Waterfield is a financial centre manager and executive board member for Santander.

For information on ALT visit www.ashfordleisuretrust.co.uk/ trustees

The new board of trustees of Ashford Leisure Trust, from left, chairman Ian Bull, Cllr Philip Sims, David Waterfield, David Hill, Linda Dodds, Ian Kirkland and Charlie Vavasour