PEOPLE NEWS
Triple Olympic Champion Joins RLSS UK As An Ambassador Tom Dean MBE has joined The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to champion the charity’s water safety education outreach. The Celebrity Ambassador role is a first for RLSS UK and highlights the mutual vision of creating communities free from drowning. Tom Dean MBE is a three-time winning Olympic swimming gold medallist, winning twice at Tokyo in 2021 (becoming the first male British swimmer to win two gold Olympic medals at the same games in 113 years) and again at Paris in 2024. Alongside Olympic gold medals, Dean is a British and European record holder and he competed in 2024’s celebrity Strictly Come Dancing. In 2025, the Tom Dean Swim Schools opened and now have 5,000 members, teaching this fundamental life skill and maximising water confidence. On becoming an Ambassador for RLSS UK, Tom Dean said: “All children should have the opportunity to learn lifesaving water safety skills. I am thrilled to become an RLSS UK ambassador, as their work to ensure everyone in the UK and Ireland, no matter their background, can safely enjoy the benefits of being in and around water aligns strongly with my personal values. I am looking forward to seeing everything we can achieve together.” RLSS UK CEO Simmy Akhtar said: “We are delighted that Tom Dean is generously giving his time to help us reach more people with vital water safety information and thank him for his commitment to being an active ambassador for RLSS UK. Tom’s lived experience, elite standing as a British athlete, and advocacy aligns with RLSS UK’s mission, and his work actively reinforces safe water behaviours and drowning prevention messaging.” RLSS UK 0300 323 0096 www.rlss.org.uk
John Asher – A Celebration Of His Achievements The BSPF family and wider industry were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Asher, a hugely respected and long-standing figure within the wet leisure sector. John dedicated many years to supporting SPATA, serving as SPATA President (19831984) and working with SPATEX. John was also a vital part of ISPE too. He was present at the organisation’s first seminar in 1981, joined the Institute almost on its formation and was elected to Council that same year. Over the years, he served as Institute President plus Honorary Treasurer and retired from the ISPE Council in 2014 after 33 years and was made an honorary Fellow of the Institute. In summary, he was always willing to offer his expertise, guidance and unwavering commitment to raising professional standards across the sector. His influence helped shape key initiatives that strengthened collaboration and reinforced best practice – he leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit the industry for years to come. John was widely admired not only for his technical knowledge but also for his generous nature and willingness to support colleagues. He played a vital role in fostering a sense of community within the industry, mentoring
others and encouraging innovation while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. John Asher’s contribution was not only to the industry but also to Trade Aid (An initiative delivering equipment boxes to support overseas communities). Chris Hayes, Managing Director of the BSPF, paid tribute: “John was an integral part of our community and a true champion of the industry. His passion, knowledge and dedication made a real difference, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with him.” John’s legacy with Asher Swimpool Centre lives on through his children (Claire and Andrew) and he will be remembered with great respect and appreciation.
POOLCORP Announces Leadership Transition At the start of May, POOLCORP announced that its Board of Directors has appointed John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer, with Peter Arvan stepping down from these roles and as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. John Stokely, Chair of the Board, has also been appointed as Executive Chair. Mr Watwood is a seasoned operational leader with more than two decades of experience in industrial and specialty distribution, bringing strategic, operational and sales expertise to POOLCORP. He joined the company as Executive Vice President in January 2026. Prior to his transition to POOLCORP, Watwood most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Motion Industries, a subsidiary of publicly traded Genuine Parts Company, a leading distributor of industrial parts
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and value-added solutions, where he led growth and operational performance and strengthened customer relationships across the business. “Through our ongoing succession planning, the Board determined that Mr Watwood has the right set of leadership, operational and strategic skills and experience to lead the company into its next phase of growth. During his tenure at POOLCORP, John quickly earned the respect of the entire organisation and the Board. I am pleased to announce his appointment and look forward to continuing to work closely with him to ensure that POOLCORP delivers on our mission,” advised Stokely. Speaking on his appointment, Watwood said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead this exceptional company and appreciate the Board’s trust and support. My priority will be building upon the strong foundation already in place to continue as the best worldwide distributor of outdoor lifestyle products. I am excited to continue working with the talented POOLCORP team as we execute our strategy and continue delivering the exceptional value and service that have long defined POOLCORP.”
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 09/06/2026 20:31