Paul McPartlan has moved from Nuffield Health to take up the role of CEO of Places for People Leisure. McPartlan will take up the reins on Monday 3rd August 2020, replacing Sandra Dodd who retires in September, after 25 years with the company.

McPartlan was national operations director at Nuffield.

“Never has physical activity been more important," said McPartlan, "not only to help re-build the UK economy, but also more importantly to help individuals maintain and improve their own wellbeing.

"Places Leisure will play a key role as it navigates the re-opening of its centres, working closely with local authority partners. The future holds great opportunity for Places Leisure to shape a broader spectrum of health and wellbeing services for the communities it supports.”

McPartlan will work with the Places Leisure leadership team of John Oxley (COO), Carolyn D’Costa (FD) and Dan Walker (business development director).

Places for People Leisure has around 40 management contracts and – along with most other contractors, has been renegotiating contracts with its local authority partners in advance of reopening.

Inevitably, the fallout from lockdown will mean McPartlan is joining the company at a challenging time.

Places for People Leisure is part of the wider Places for People group, which had a turnover of £827.1m and profits of £227.1m in 2018-19. The company also reported cash reserves of £562.4m that year.

Places Leisure represents around 19 per cent of group, reporting £158m turnover in 2018-19. It also reported generating social value of £195m that year.

To find out more about Places for People Leisure, see our recent interview with John Oxley and Sandra Dodd in HCM here.

Places Leisure did an in-depth survey of members during lockdown and found 89 per cent intend to return.