Fusion Lifestyle are delighted to announce two new key appointments for its Active Life contract in Canterbury as the company nears completion of a major £8m refit of the iconic cathedral city’s Kingsmead Pools & Fitness.
Matt Saunders has been with Fusion Lifestyle for more than 10 years, working his way through the ranks and now successfully appointed as the Regional Commercial Operations Manager for Active Life with responsibilities for sites across Canterbury district.
In addition to Kingsmead Leisure Centre, he will have oversight of Herons Leisure Centre in Herne Bay and Whitstable Pools and Fitness. All three sites are managed by Active Life on behalf of Canterbury City Council.
Ben Turke, meanwhile, has been appointed as the new general manager for Kingsmead Leisure Centre taking charge of the day-to-day running and promotion of the centre including expanding on the centre’s sports and community outreach programme.
Richard Allan, Operations Manager, Fusion Lifestyle, the parent company of Active Life, said: “We’re delighted to announce Matt’s appointment as Regional Commercial Operations Manager following a competitive and rigorous selection process.
“While our preference is always to promote from within, it was important to have the right person in place for this contract as we approach the completion of our long-awaited major investment at Kingsmead Leisure Centre this autumn.
“In Matt we have someone who has risen through the ranks and impressed at every turn, including his time as a general manager at Southend, our biggest centre in the UK and more recently in London, managing sites in Brockwell, Haringey and Enfield.
“This is a really positive step up at an exciting time for Active Life, coming at the right time to make a real impact with our Kingsmead project, making sure the right team is in place to take the centre and the wider business from strength to strength.”
Ben Turke joins Active Life as General Manager in July having enjoyed a successful career to date with both public and private leisure facility operators. In addition to managing Kingsmead Leisure Centre, he will be co-ordinating a programme of community activity to encourage people of all ages to stay fit and healthy.
“Ben is a great hire for us as General Manager for Kingsmead Leisure Centre,” Richard added, “He has a strong background in managing facilities both from a commercial and community perspective, which will be vitally important in driving Kingsmead Leisure Centre forward – and ensuring its future success.”
“A key part of our Active Life contract is to get out from our four walls and be out in the community delivering our services to people who maybe can’t physically get to the leisure centre – or haven’t considered going before. It’s all part of our mission to support people of all ages and abilities across Canterbury in staying healthy and achieving their fitness goals.”
“We will be going into community centres, old people’s homes and businesses and show people how they can keep fit and healthy. Ben will be playing a key role in delivering this service.”
The two new appointments coincide with the retirement of Derek Hambidge as regional manager for Active Life in Canterbury after more than five years in post.
“Derek has been fantastic in his time with Active Life,” Richard added. He has played a pivotal role in successfully getting the Kingsmead Leisure Centre project to a position where Matt can now take it through to fruition and we wish all the best in his retirement.”