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Freedom Leisure appoints new National Aquatics Business Manager
03 May 2024
Freedom Leisure has announced the appointment of Hannah Smith as the new National Aquatics Business Manager, bringing with her extensive experience and expertise to foster growth in swimming programmes across England and Wales.
Smith's appointment underscores Freedom Leisure's commitment to enhancing aquatic offerings and fostering a culture of water-based fitness and recreation. In her new role, she will play a pivotal role in developing swimming initiatives tailored for both children and adults, further bolstering the organisation's award-winning Learn To Swim programme that teaches more than 60,000 participants each week to be confident and safe around water.
Hannah has over 28 years’ experience working in the sport, leisure and physical activity sector and over this time has had a range of roles including working in local authority swimming development; for UK Coaching as a Coaching Consultant; in school sport as Senior Competition Manager; and in the Workforce team at Swim England.
Hannah joins Freedom Leisure from Water Babies Ltd, where she worked for eleven years, most recently as Director of Aquatics, Pools & Facilities and Training. She was responsible for the development of their award-winning baby, toddler and pre-school swimming programme across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, China, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. As part of the senior team, she was also responsible for helping define the vision and strategic direction of the company as well as supporting a network of over 60 franchisees and 500 teachers.
Outside of work, Hannah is involved in Open Water Swimming as an International Technical Official and represented GB and Europe as a Referee at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. For the last nine years, she has been the Technical Director for the National Open Water and Masters Championships.
Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Chief Executive Officer at Freedom Leisure stated; “We’re delighted to have made this appointment and Hannah will lead our team of aquatic professionals across the organisation to continue to enrich the swimming experience for individuals of all ages in our centres and achieve real and measurable improvements."
Hannah Smith, National Aquatics Business Manager at Freedom Leisure added; “I am thrilled to join Freedom Leisure and lead efforts to expand and enhance their aquatic programmes. Swimming is a life skill and a source of joy and well-being and I look forward to working closely with the local teams to promote swimming and water-based activities to the local communities we serve across England and Wales.”
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