Independent swimming tuition provider Swimming Nature has appointed leisure industry veteran Steve Philpott as its new chair.

Philpott – who has 20 years experience in the sector, including 11 years as Place for People CEO – will work alongside Swimming Nature chief executive Eduardo Ferre to boost the growth of the company.

“Having spent many years within the active leisure industry I really admire what Swimming Nature has achieved so far,” he said.

“It has a superb teaching method backed up by excellent staff training and as chair I will be working to ensure we will take the business to the next level.”

Philpott will be joined by former Fitness First executive Michael Clark, who joins as Swimming Nature’s business development director.

Clark – who also has two decade’s experience in leisure – will be responsible for developing the firm’s product range, including programming, equipment and training.

Ferre said the appointments would help Swimming Nature’s “aggressive growth plan” to teach 20,000 students per week over the next three years.

“They join us at a very exciting time for the business as we enter a new phase to become the leading authority on aquatic provision whether that be tuition, fitness and conditioning, equipment, training or research,” he added.