The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has announced the appointment of Innes Kerr as member services director to replace Nigel Wallace, who has resigned as executive director.

Currently with Fitness First, Kerr has 21 years’ experience in the industry both as an operator and on the supply side.

He will join the FIA in December and will work closely with Wallace in a handover period until 14 January 2005, when he will officially take up his new role.

Wallace’s departure from the FIA comes as the association embarks on a major expansion and restructure following a recent strategic review.

He is moving to McLean Events to head up the SIBEC series of meeting forums and help develop the brand.

Joint managing director of McLean Events, Noor Kassam, welcomed Wallace’s forthcoming involvement: “We will shortly be announcing plans to stage a new SIBEC event, which will take place in the UK just for the trust and local authority marketplace,” he said.

“Nigel will be playing a key role in this exciting development.”

Wallace has also accepted an annual retainer from the FIA in respect of his freelance services on all industry matters involving academia.