Alliance Leisure has promoted Tom Fairey into the new position of Development Director. The move coincides with the extension of the development team and the welcoming of Chris Ames as Alliance Delivery Manager.

Tom joined Alliance Leisure in 2011 as Business Development Manager and has spent the last decade transforming communities through the delivery of inspirational activity focused development projects, mainly in the South East.

In his new role, Tom will continue to oversee a portfolio of development projects whilst also making a valuable contribution to the future planning and strategic direction of the company via a seat on the Development Board.

Tom says: “Over the last 10 years I have learnt so much and I am keen to apply my expertise to help shape the future direction of the company.  Despite the financial challenges facing local authorities, Alliance Leisure has a health pipeline of committed large-scale development projects.

“Working in partnership with local authorities and via our continued role as Lead Development Partner on the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure, we remain committed to our ambition to create active environments that support healthy, happy and prosperous communities.”

In addition, Alliance has welcomed Chris Ames as Alliance Delivery Manager. Chris joins the company from a background in facility management and will sit in Tom’s team, looking on delivering development projects in the South East.

Chris brings with him a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors. Building on 10 years first-hand experience of leisure and hospitality management, Chris moved on to leisure contract management, procurement and facility development. Most recently, Chris worked as Director of Business Development for SLT Group, focused on business growth, service development and private facility and business acquisitions.

Chris says: “Working in public sector facility management and business development for so many years, I crossed paths with Alliance Leisure on many occasions and the professionalism, dedication and expertise of the team has always stood out to me. Being part of that team now, I look forward to helping other Local Authorities and Trusts shape their own leisure facilities through the experience and specialisation that Alliance brings.”

Commenting on the two new positions, Sarah Watts, CEO, Alliance Leisure, says: “As the company continues to increase its presence as the UK’s leading leisure development specialist,  it is fantastic to be able to reward existing and welcome new expertise. Tom has played a vital role in the company’s growth and success over the last ten years so it is only fitting that we recognise this outstanding contribution through extending his influence in our strategic decisions. Introducing Chris to the team brings a new depth to our expertise which I am sure will be instrumental in the onward success of the business.”