Martin Symcox has been appointed by the IQL UK as business development manager.

Symcox has been tasked with rolling out the new managerial qualification to leisure centres, sports facilities and health clubs throughout the UK.

As part of his role, Symcox will assist executive director, Tara Dillon, and pool programmes Manager, Alex Blackwell, in enhancing the organisation's profile as an awarding and governing body within the leisure industry.

Initially, he will also conduct remote research to explore examples of best practice at the IQL's Approved Training Centres - which are designed as lifeguard training centres - and use these case studies as a benchmark for other pool operators to improve industry standards.

Symcox, who is a former contract manager with a leading leisure management company, said: "Up until recently I have worked on the operational side of leisure management so I am fully aware of the increased pressures that fall on pool operators both budgetary and to improve standards.

"This has given me a valuable insight as to why the new qualification is relevant and will allow me to communicate with operators on the best ways to implement it."