The appointment results from the organisation's recent contract award to manage Sandwich Leisure Centre in Kent and K2 in Crawley, one of the country's flagship leisure centres - in conjunction with Greenwich Leisure Ltd and Crawley Borough Council.

Steve Parker joins freedomleisure from Parkwood Leisure where he held the position of Centers Manager for Crook Log Leisure Centre, Bexleyheath and Fairfield Leisure Centre, Dartford from May 2007.

Steve was named Parkwood Leisure's Southern Region Manager of the Year 2008. He was also a runner up in the contract manager of the year in his previous role as Contract Manager at Tenterden Leisure Centre.

Steve has always worked in the leisure and fitness industry in a number of roles at various locations across the South East.

Said Lesley Clare, Freedomleisure's Head of HR: "Steve Parker will be a great asset to freedomleisure since he brings a wealth of practical, hands-on and multi-site management experience. This will prove invaluable throughout this important area, which covers seven leisure and fitness centres in Bexhill, Hastings and Rye."