West Lothian Leisure’s Chief Executive, Robin Strang, is to retire at the end of September 2019 after over nine years leading the award-winning charity. Mr Strang will continue to lead the charity until a new Chief Executive is appointed.
He said “It has been a privilege to work with so many talented and enthusiastic people and I wish my colleagues and the organisation continued success in the years to come. I would also like to thank the Board for their support and guidance over the years.”
During Robin’s time as Chief Executive, customer visits have doubled and the charity now operates many more services and facilities on behalf of West Lothian Council. Mr Strang also led the successful negotiations as Chair of Community Leisure Scotland with the Government to stop the removal of rates relief from charitable trusts as part of the Barclay Review.
More recently, Mr Strang has been instrumental in developing a three-year plan that will address rising costs and significant funding cuts that are having an impact across the whole of the public sector at present. Robin has agreed, at the Board’s request, to remain with the organisation while the initial stages of this plan are implemented, having already completed a restructure of the management team.
Dr Cindy Brook, Chair of West Lothian Leisure said “I appreciate the leadership that Robin has given to the company and for developing it into an organisation that has improved the health and wellbeing of so many people throughout West Lothian. It’s thanks to his forward thinking, expertise and determination that we have made such huge improvements in sport, culture and leisure locally. Both I and the Board wish him all the very best with whatever he chooses to do next.”
Robin has over 30 years’ service with local government and leisure trusts including Chief Executive of Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust, a charity set up to operate the Manchester’s world class sports facilities including the legacy facilities from the 2002 Commonwealth Games. He has also supported local charities and recently served as Chair of the West Lothian Youth Foundation.
The Board will shortly start the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive.