Dr Steve Mann, former research director at industry body, ukactive, has been appointed director at sports and physical activity consultancy 4global.

Mann has been tasked with playing a central role in helping 4Global provide digital solutions and insight projects in the UK and overseas.

Mann joins the company after a three-year stint at leisure management company Places for People Leisure, where, as head of healthy communities, he was responsible for developing and delivering the group’s health, fitness and customer experience strategies.

Prior to that, Mann spent seven years working at the ukactive Research Institute, leading pioneering studies into how physical activity can be an effective health intervention when delivered within communities.

“It's an incredibly exciting time to be joining 4global," Mann said. "The sector is looking at data and insight in a completely different way at the moment and there's a unique opportunity to transform the way we run our businesses, engage with consumers, and evaluate our impact."

4global's consultancy services range from providing strategic and operational services to support the delivery of major sporting events to data analytics and strategic planning.

It also powers DataHub – a UK-based repository for sport and physical activity data – which tracks activities at 2,500 leisure centres.

In June, DataHub launched a contact tracking app, specifically designed for the fitness and physical activity sector.

The customer-facing Tractiv8 allows gym, health club and leisure centre members a quick and simple way to inform their facility, should they contract coronavirus.