Phil Steele has successfully managed commercial leisure facilities of all sizes and has a clear focus on performance and service improvement.

After completing his Masters in Recreation Management at Loughborough University, Phil joined Grand Metropolitan’s Intercontinental Hotel chain in Saudi Arabia. He later moved into the leisure contract management sector, where he has undertaken senior roles in a number of companies.

He joins the Sportspark from Fusion Lifestyle, where he successfully re-launched activities across seven leisure facilities in Hounslow, London, after co-managing a £26 million refurbishment project, taking on a new three-site contract and preparing for a £2.5m redevelopment.

“I’m really delighted to have been appointed to this post,” said Phil. “The Sportspark is one of the largest-ever Lottery-funded community sports facilities and my challenge is to continue the excellent work that has been done here.

“I am particularly keen to ensure that we continue to offer a balanced activity programme catering for the varied users who have been enjoying the facilities over the last 12 years – and welcoming in new people who have yet to discover us.”

A keen Liverpool FC fan, Phil, who originally hails from Merseyside, is already looking forward to the team’s visit to Carrow Road in September. His own sporting interests lie in racquet sports as well as football and he has also coached in both .

The Sportspark is owned and run by the University – but is open to everyone almost every day of the year and prides itself on world-class facilities at affordable prices – with no joining fees.

All user fees are fed back into the centre. This has led to extensive development since it opened in 2000, adding a gymnastics centre, sports halls and many more sports to the original facilities.

For more information about what is on offer, see www.sportspark.co.uk.