Ice Hockey UK are pleased to announce that John Colley has been appointed as the new commercial director.

Hull-born Colley is a former ice hockey player having trained in Hull’s junior program before relocating to Aberdeen and icing for the Aberdeen Lynx.

The 41-year-old played a major part in relaunching the sport in Aberdeen and became vice-chairman of the Scottish club.

Colley is a director for facilities management giant Mitie Group PLC which is a FTSE 250 company.

He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and has over 20 years’ experience in industry, having held operational and strategic management positions for a number of large multinational organisations.

Colley said: “I am really excited about joining IHUK. With the recent successes across the GB program and the growth in the sports popularity in recent years, there is no better time to be joining the team.

“Gary Brine has clearly been a real asset to IHUK in the commercial director role and I have some big boots to fill.

“Richard Grieveson’s vision and determination to develop a truly high-performing team and a highly professional governing body – so that we can support the sport and the players at all levels is inspiring – and I am really looking forward to working with him and the team to this end.

“I know that we have fantastic support from the GBSC, our current sponsors and our member ice hockey clubs, professional and amateur across the country and I will be reaching out for more of their input and ideas in the coming months.

“I will also be looking to create better opportunities for our current and any potential new sponsors who want to get involved with the sport at this level.”

IHUK chairman, Rich Grieveson, said: “I am delighted to welcome John as the new commercial director of Ice Hockey UK.

“John impressed the interview panel greatly and in his professional career he is clearly an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success.

“He has significant finance and commercial management experience, strong people management skills and a proven track record of aligning business strategy with corporate strategy and achieving project goals.

“He clearly has a passion for ice hockey and is committed to supporting us in driving forward the well-documented changes required.

“I am confident that he will be a tremendous acquisition to our sport in the UK.”