New Business Development Manager at Jonas Leisure

Lifeguard, swimming instructor, facility manager and now business development manager; it’s been an eventful 20 years for Jonas Leisure’s latest senior appointment.

Adelaide’s Nigel Dennis joined the Australasian software company’s leadership team a month ago, following the retirement of industry veteran Bryn Whales.

His role as Business Development Manager will see him helping to drive solutions to industry issues through enhancements to Jonas Leisure platforms and working closely with clients to help them overcome their own specific challenges.

“Meeting people from across the industry is one of the things that most excites me,” Mr Dennis says.

“I’ve been in their shoes, I understand what people are going through and I get local government.”

He is no stranger to the industry, having worked within it for the best part of two decades. After starting out as a lifeguard and swimming instructor in 2004, he made the move into team leadership and programme development, before transitioning into facility management.

He’s particularly well known in South Australia, where he has spent the past 15 or so years managing YMCA facilities, private gyms and pools, and most recently the Waterworld Aquatic Centre for City of Tea Tree Gully.

“I’m keenly aware of the difference smart systems can make for leisure operators, particularly in the current environment when staff shortages and increased obligations mean time pressures are more acute than ever.

“In the coming months, I’m looking forward to having conversations at conferences, in person and over the phone where I can share my love of technology and the value it can add with anyone who will listen,” he jokes.

Jonas Leisure General Manager Alissa Lim welcomed Mr Dennis to the team, saying his knowledge of the industry would be invaluable.

“It’s outstanding to have Nigel on board. We pride ourselves on having people on the team who have walked the talk, and who have first-hand knowledge of it’s like working in the Australasian leisure industry.”