School Lettings Solutions (SLS) has appointed experienced business expert Dave Roberts as a non-executive chairman as it targets further growth.
Pendle-based Roberts, who has a track record of developing a number of high growth businesses, will work with Paul Andrews, Scott Warrington and Jackie Latu the founder directors of the £9m turnover business and their dynamic, young management team.
Award-winning SLS helps schools, academies and colleges with a comprehensive management hire out of their facilities to local community groups.
SLS was only launched six years ago and has grown rapidly. Today it works with more than 180 schools across the UK and employ more than 600.
Roberts, Managing Director of MBS Corporate Advisory, who has a track record of working successfully with owner managed high growth businesses, says: “Paul and Scott have created an incredibly successful business in a relatively short space of time but SLS still has significant growth potential and that’s really exciting.
“It’s a wonderful story with an even greater upside and my role as non-executive chair will be to help the team take the right steps. Of course, as you grow a business there are challenges and pitfalls along the way which we will have to negotiate.”
Roberts is also a skilled strategic marketer, and is very experienced in working with his clients in developing marketing programmes that incorporate both traditional and digital process.
Scott said the appointment represents a key stage in its development as the business wanted to be able to call on an experienced head who could assist with strategic plans and their implementation, and challenge the plans and the decisions the board are faced with.
“We have been on an incredible journey in the last six years and we know that to build on the success we need wise counsel from people who have been here before, know how we can take things to the next level and avoid any pitfalls in the way. David has a great track record of working with nanagement teams in high growth enviroments, we feel we are going to really benefit from his input.
“We have worked with Dave previously and believe he fits the bill for what we need right now.”
The Bolton-based firm was founded in 2012 by directors Scott Warrington and Paul Andrews, SLS manages the process that enables schools and colleges to generate income from hiring out facilities such as sports halls, playing fields and swimming pools to communities, providing access to education and leisure facilities.
SLS fully manage their facilities at zero cost to the organisations while linking them with community groups in need of affordable space. It works with more than 7,000 sports clubs, performing art groups and community organisations.
