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Press Releases and Articles BISL ANNOUNCES NEW LIFE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN BUSINESS IN SPORT AND LEISURE ANNOUNCES NEW LIFE PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN At the Board meeting of Business In Sport and Leisure held today, it was agreed that John Brackenbury CBE, the main founder and Chairman for the past 20 years, would become Life President of BISL at the Annual General Meeting due to be held on Thursday 17th March. In his place, Neil Goulden, Chief Executive of Gala Leisure Group will take over as Chairman of BISL. John Brackenbury CBE, Chairman of Business In Sport and Leisure said "I have and will continue to be totally committed to Business In Sport and Leisure which has grown from thirteen members in 1985 to over one hundred and five today. It has created a voice for the commercial sport and leisure industry which is respected throughout Whitehall and particularly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. BISL's views have been incorporated into parliamentary debates and official papers. Many of the issues raised in the past eighteen years have received support form Cabinet Ministers, MPs and Civil Servants. I have also been extremely fortunate to have a Chief Executive, Brigid Simmonds, who has worked with me over the last 13 years and helped to build BISL into the force it is today. I do feel however, that the time has now come to hand over as Chairman and I am delighted to welcome Neil Goulden who has been a Director of BISL since January 1997. He brings a wealth of experience in the leisure industry covering every aspect of leisure and I look forward to continuing my involvement as a Board member and President of BISL". Neil Goulden, Chief Executive of Gala Leisure said "I am delighted to take over from John Brackenbury as Chairman of BISL and pay tribute to his enormous contribution over the past 20 years. There is a real need for BISL to concentrate on representing the views of a wide range of members who make up the commercial sport and leisure industry. I have always been a key supporter of Business In Sport and Leisure and chair the Gaming Working Group from which I will stand down when I become Chairman of BISL. I look forward to taking forward all the issues which BISL works on through our five working groups on Liquor Licensing; Gambling; Property and Land-Use Planning; Employment and Sport". Brigid Simmonds, chief Executive of Business In Sport and Leisure said "BISL owes a huge debt of gratitude to John Brackenbury for his foresight and immense support during his time as chairman. I have personally learnt a great deal from him and he has helped me develop BISL through his vast contacts and respect with which is held in the leisure and hospitality industry. I am delighted that he will still be around as President. I very much welcome Neil Goulden as our new Chairman and look forward to working with him to grow our membership and deal with real issues of concern for our sector". Ends Business In Sport and Leisure (BISL) is an umbrella organisation which represents over 100 private sector companies in the sport and leisure industry. Its members include most of the major operators of commercial sport and leisure in the UK and many consultants who specialise in this field. Members of BISL who are listed on the London Stock Exchange have a combined market capitalisation in excess of £40 billion. For further information, please contact Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of Business In Sport and Leisure on 020 8780 2377; Mobile 07710 485119
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