Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Darryl Keech

Hailsham,East Sussex

Summary

Accomplished Area Manager with 20+ years experience in senior management roles, including project management, mobilisations and HR. Proven ability to lead teams, offering strong organisational and leadership skills, focusing on team collaboration and problem solving, whilst implementing strategic plans to drive revenue and improve customer satisfaction. Adept at managing client expectations and mitigating risks to meet business objectives.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Project Manager

Freedom Leisure
East Hoathly, East Sussex
01.2025 - Current
  • Project lead alongside existing Area Manager role
  • Researched, proposed and secured capital for new technology that would deliver highest levels of water safety whilst improving operational efficiency
  • Implementation of Lynxight - Assisted Lifeguard Technology across 30 pools in Freedom Leisure portfolio
  • Secured buy-in from all stakeholders with persuasive presentations of benefits of proposed changes.
  • Steered teams through complex project phases to successful completion.
  • Planned staff and resources within business budgets for minimised expenditure.
  • Mentored employees to maximise development potential.
  • Implemented organisational policies/procedures for smooth service delivery.

Area Manager

Freedom Leisure
East Hoathly, East Sussex
05.2019 - Current
  • Manage a £9 million turnover contract on behalf of one of the countries largest not for profit leisure trust.
  • Responsible for 8 leisure centres and 4 other outside facilities on behalf of a local authority partner.
  • Transformed financial performance of contract from under performing to the highest performing contract in our business.
  • Built a trusted and collaborative partnership with our client.
  • Cultivated key partnerships within the local community organisations resulting in increased income generation
  • Management of P&L responsibilities budgeting and forecasting
  • Implemented a number of costs saving measures, including operational efficiency further contributing to increased profits
  • Development and mentoring of individuals/teams to educate and raise awareness of business challenges and goals
  • Resolve complaints efficiently, fostering customer satisfaction and retention
  • Implement preventative and reactive maintenance procedures to ensure H&S compliance and operational reliability to meet customer/client expectation

HR Business Partner

Freedom Leisure
East Hoathly, East Sussex
08.2024 - 01.2025
  • Seconded in role part time alongside Area Manager post to cover maternity leave
  • Ensured legal compliance by keeping up-to-date with current UK employment legislation.
  • Handled disciplinary procedures, ensuring compliance with employment laws.
  • Partnered with senior leadership for strategic workforce planning, enabling company growth projections.
  • Established effective communication channels between staff and management enhancing mutual understanding.
  • Supported grievance procedures, promoting a fair work environment.
  • Served as point of contact to offer expertise on employee relations.
  • Oversaw disciplinary, performance and absence management for 1500 employees in my region
  • Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for compliant issue resolution.

Area Manager/Contract Manager

Freedom Leisure/Everyone Active
Crawley, West Sussex
05.2016 - 05.2019
  • Area Manager for Freedom Leisure and then Contract Manager as TUPE'd to Everyone Active in October 2018
  • Manage a £6 million turnover contract on behalf of the countries largest leisure operator
  • Responsible for 2 leisure centres including the prestigious K2 and one outside facility on behalf of a local authority partner.
  • Continuation of a trusted and collaborative partnership with our client from previous operator
  • Cultivated key partnerships within the local community organisations resulting in increased income generation
  • Management of P&L responsibilities budgeting and forecasting
  • Implemented a number of costs saving measures, including operational efficiency further contributing to increased profit
  • Resolve complaints efficiently, fostering customer satisfaction and retention
  • Implement preventative and reactive maintenance procedures to ensure H&S compliance and operational reliability to meet customer/client expectation
  • Managed event logistics, ensuring smooth running of multiple events.
  • Administered risk assessment procedures for event safety assurance.
  • Created bespoke packages for clients based on event requirements.
  • Designed event set-up and displays to match client requests.

Mobilisation Manager

Freedom Leisure
East Hoathly, East Sussex
05.2014 - 05.2016
  • Approached by director team to become mobilisation lead for all newly acquired contracts across the country
  • Delivery of 8 new contracts in England and Wales
  • Maintain a detailed mobilisation and transition plan
  • Lead internal and external mobilisation/demobilisation meetings
  • Consultation and Pre boarding of transferring work force as part of the TUPE process
  • Onboarding of all new employees
  • Assembly of a support team to take into new contracts to assist training delivery
  • Educating company values and driving best practice
  • Ensure all aspects of the mobilisation and demobilisation are completed in line with company policies and procedures
  • Responsible for ordering new equipment/uniform/goods for resale
  • Point of continuity for client, operations and central functions
  • Build and maintain successful client relationships
  • Provide detailed updates to the business
  • Maintain mobilisation budget and monitoring of spend, including bid obligations


Education

NVQ Level 3 - Leisure Studies

Eastbourne College
Eastbourne, East Sussex
09.1992 - 07.1994

GCSEs - Maths/English Language/English Literature/Science/History/French/Design Technology

Pilgrims School
Seaford, East Sussex
09.1990 - 07.1992

Skills

  • Decision-making proficiency
  • P and L accountability/responsibility
  • Business development
  • Customer service
  • Contract negotiation
  • Employee recruitment, training and development
  • Operational and performance management
  • Acquisitions and expansion
  • Change management

Affiliations

  • I love spending time with my family, I have five children and they always keep me busy.
  • I am a big Brighton fan and have supported the club since my early teens experiencing a real mix of highs and lows.
  • I like to keep healthy and particularly enjoy running when my body allows me too.

Timeline

Project Manager

Freedom Leisure
01.2025 - Current

HR Business Partner

Freedom Leisure
08.2024 - 01.2025

Area Manager

Freedom Leisure
05.2019 - Current

Area Manager/Contract Manager

Freedom Leisure/Everyone Active
05.2016 - 05.2019

Mobilisation Manager

Freedom Leisure
05.2014 - 05.2016

NVQ Level 3 - Leisure Studies

Eastbourne College
09.1992 - 07.1994

GCSEs - Maths/English Language/English Literature/Science/History/French/Design Technology

Pilgrims School
09.1990 - 07.1992

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Darryl Keech