Published: Monday, 3rd March 2025
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has appointed Richard Allan to the position of Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture, following a competitive interview process.
Richard will oversee and drive forward the council’s leisure and cultural services at an exciting time for West Norfolk, alongside contributing to the council’s wider strategic direction and decision-making as part of the Corporate Leadership Team.
He comes with a wealth of relevant skills and experience, having worked for more than 30 years in public-facing leisure and community services within the public, private and charitable sectors, with the past 14 years in senior leadership, including at two large leisure and culture charities.
In his previous role at Fusion Lifestyle, one of the UK’s largest leisure management charities, Richard worked in partnership with various councils around the country to manage leisure facilities, ranging from traditional leisure centres with swimming pools, sports hall and gyms, through to historic buildings.
He also brings experience of large capital projects and the delivery of community outreach and health programmes, at a time when West Norfolk is exploring options and opportunities to build new sustainable health, swim and fitness facilities for King’s Lynn and Hunstanton to promote active lifestyles and wellbeing.
Kate Blakemore, the council’s Chief Executive, said: “Richard will play a key role in embedding, integrating and developing our Alive West Norfolk leisure services and facilities for our communities, as well as working with partners, both locally and nationally, to help make the most of the borough’s rich cultural assets for the benefit of our residents and local economy. I look forward to working with him to deliver for our borough.”
Alistair Beales, the Council Leader, added: “With his extensive experience in strategic management of leisure services and of partnership working, Richard is a great choice for West Norfolk at a time when we’re exploring options to invest in our leisure facilities and also bringing Alive West Norfolk, our leisure provider, back under in-house management. We’re very pleased to welcome Richard on board and I look forward to working closely with him to shape services for communities.”
Richard said: “I feel privileged to be joining the authority at such an exciting and transformational time, and look forward to working with the internal teams and external partners to deliver exceptional health, leisure, and cultural opportunities for the residents and visitors of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.
“There are some great opportunities and important challenges ahead, and I am committed to supporting Kate and the elected members in ensuring the authority maximises every opportunity, and meets the challenges with passion and bravery."