News
The Sports & Leisure Group announces appointment of David Bernstein as Non-Executive Chairman
31st October 2006
The Sports & Leisure Group Ltd (“SLG”), a leading developer and operator of multi sports and leisure facilities, is very pleased to announce the appointment of David Bernstein to the board as Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect.
David, aged 63 is a chartered accountant who was in professional practice until 1988 when he joined Pentland Group plc as Joint Managing Director. Whilst there he was responsible for strategic development and acquisitions, and negotiated amongst others the purchase of Speedo, Reusch, Ellesse, Berghaus and Hanson White.
He holds Non-Executive roles with a number of well known UK companies, including: Blacks Leisure Group Plc, Carluccios Plc, Ted Baker Plc and Wembley National Stadium Ltd.
David is perhaps best known for his time as Chairman of Manchester City Plc. He is credited with successfully regenerating the club, negotiating the club’s occupation of the City of Manchester Stadium following the Manchester Commonwealth games 2002, and leading the club from the 2nd division to the Premier League.
The Sports & Leisure Group operates two successful brands in two large and growing UK leisure markets: Roko Health Clubs, the “premium affordable” family health clubs and PlayFootball: the “new generation” small sided football centres.
Since 1999, SLG has developed a land partnership model with a number of private and public land owner organisations including schools, local authorities, civil service sports council, and private companies. A “quasi freehold” model, the landlord provides favourable land agreements in the form of long leases and attractive rentals. In return, SLG funds the capital development costs and offers the land owner beneficial membership rates and off peak usage privileges over the new facilities.
To date, SLG has developed 4 Roko Health Clubs in Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Nottingham and Gillingham with a combined full paying membership in excess of 18,000 and 6 PlayFootball centres in Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Preston, Blackpool Luton and Liverpool. Its 7th PlayFootball centre in Swansea is currently under construction and several others are in an advanced planning and development phase.
Barry Hunter, CEO of The Sports and Leisure Group Ltd and former managing director at Adidas UK said: “We are delighted that David has agreed to join us. His leisure and football background is a natural fit with the Group and he will be a significant asset for the Board as we accelerate our business development. In July, we announced new fundraising to support our opening programme over the next 12 months and we are well positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities our 2 brands offer.”