Freedom Leisure has appointed Matt Hunt as its new group operations manager. Hunt has been promoted to the role after a six-year stint as area manager.

The position is a newly created one and Hunt will be responsible for contract transfers as well as overseeing health, safety and quality.

One of his first tasks will be to undertake a review of the company's systems and procedures following a period of rapid growth.

Hunt joined Freedom Leisure in 2006 as centre manager at Crowborough and, within 10 months, progressed to become an area manager for the Crawley area, where he managed four different sites - including flagship club K2 Crawley.

Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Freedom Leisure's business development director, said: "We've expanded considerably over the last 18 months with major contracts in Brighton, Guildford and Woking and now manage 34 leisure centres.

"Matt has been a key factor in mobilising our recent contract wins and will play a key role in the future development of Freedom Leisure."