Createability welcomes industry stalwart David Johns

Leisure design and build expert, Createability, has welcomed industry stalwart, David Johns, as Business Development (Projects) Specialist.

Johns joins Createability from 1Life, where he was Regional Director for the north, responsible for 16 venues across six local authority contracts. His new role will see him supporting leisure operators end-to-end throughout their construction projects, interpreting their needs and linking them with Createability’s experts to convert their concepts into revenue-driving, value-for-money projects.

He says: “I first met Createability’s Managing Director, Ian Cotgrave, more than 20 years ago and since then we have both worked with operators to redevelop and revitalise old leisure stock, as well as building brand new centres. I have huge respect for the company as diligent designers and considerate constructors and so the opportunity to work with Createability and help increase its profile and penetration into new market sectors was a big draw.”

Johns has enjoyed a long career in sports and exercise management, across public, private and not-for-profit organisations, including DC Leisure (now Places for People Leisure), SLM Everyone Active, Oldham Community Leisure and the charity, Active Nation. He was one of the architects of the charity’s mission and brand when it was set up in 2009, mobilising new contracts, managing capital investment projects and working with sports National Governing Bodies and County Sports Partnerships, including hosting pre-London 2012 Olympic and Commonwealth Games training camps for the Australian and Canadian badminton teams.

Createability works with both public and private sector clients across a broad range of small and multi-million pound design and build projects, drawing upon its in-house support infrastructure of designers, quantity surveyors, project managers and national supply chain.

Johns continues: “Every line drawn on a plan has lasting operational and financial implications for the building’s occupier and so I am looking forward to closely collaborating with project teams, including the asset owners, operators, architects and contractors to deliver their visions in an economically and environmentally responsible manner. I am also a strong advocate of leisure operators partnering with health and education agencies and hope, through my new role, I can help them to achieve shared objectives and deliver local health improvement agendas.”

Welcoming Johns to Createability, Managing Director, Ian Cotgrave said: “David has first-class knowledge of this industry, significant operational experience and a keen eye for what can be done to enhance local communities through the delivery of 21st Century sport, leisure and fitness facilities. He will be a real asset to Createability.”

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Editor’s notes:
Createability is a leisure design and build specialist working in the trust, local authority and education sectors. Over 20+ years Createability has delivered more than 600 developments worth over £100 million. www.createability.co.uk

For further information contact:
Abigail Harris at Big Fish Public Relations
Tel: 07738331019
Email: abigail@bigfishpublicrelations.co.uk