Gerard McCarthy, sales director for Dalesauna, is leaving the company after 25 years, saying “I think it is time to take a break, let someone else pick up the baton, take some time out to enjoy the fruits of my labours.”

McCarthy has been in the industry for more than 35 years, starting off with the supplier Slim Gym Ltd before setting up his own company, Leisure Marketing, and then joining Dalesauna.

Before he joined Dalesauna, he was first a customer, purchasing saunas and steam rooms for Leisure Marketing. A chance conversation with Dalesauna’s owner, Stephen Hipps, led McCarthy to join the company as sales director.

“Twenty-five years is a long time, but it has flashed by, and I am proud to have been involved in such a dynamic and – literally for many people – life-changing industry,” said McCarthy. “The industry as we know it now was unrecognisable twenty five years ago, and I have seen massive changes in the public and private sector fitness industry, and more recently the hotel and spa sectors.

"I am looking forward to taking a well-earned break and wish all my colleagues at Dalesauna continued success and would especially like to say a huge thank you to everyone across fitness, spa and hotel sectors who have become good friends as well as customers."