New leisure chief aims to have role in healthy future
THERE’S a new man in charge of sports, leisure, arts and heritage in Rochdale.
Andy King has been named as the new chief executive of Link4Life, which runs the borough’s leisure centres and museums.
He will take up the post in September, replacing Gillian Bishop who is leaving to become chief executive of North West Employers.
Mr King is currently the regional director of GLL and chief executive of North Country Leisure.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Link4Life as chief executive and wish Gillian well in her new role with North West Employers.
“I am passionate about delivering quality, affordable and accessible leisure and cultural opportunities for the whole community.
“I believe that we have a huge part to play in bringing about a healthier community, through developing and delivering relevant, innovative programmes for all ages across all of the facilities that we operate.”
“Gillian leaves the company in a great position and I’m looking for- ward to working with the team and the Board, to build upon the excellent work that has already taken place.”
Roger Platt, chair of the board of trustees of Link4Life, said: “I am delighted to announce that following a robust process the post has been offered to Andy King.
“I am immensely proud of the work we do to support communities in the borough of Rochdale to be active, creative and healthy, and I am really pleased that Andy is joining us to continue to make a difference.
“We look forward to shaping the next phase with him and I know the organisation will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
Mr Platt also paid tribute to departing Ms Bishop, saying: “I wanted to play tribute to the work Gillian has done for Link4Life and the contribution that she has made to us and the wider developments in the borough over the last nearly four years.”