A NORTHWICH-based charity has changed its name and chairman as it enters a new stage in its mission to get more people moving in the county.

Sport Cheshire, operating from Gadbrook Park in Rudheath, is now Active Cheshire, reflecting its commitment to encourage physical activity in all forms.

The changes come in the year the organisation celebrates its 25th anniversary as the lead body for sport and physical activity in Cheshire and Warrington.

It enters the new phase with a new chair, Mark Greaves, replacing David Newton who stepped down in June to become patron of the charity.

Mark is Group Managing Director of Flowcrete, a global flooring technology manufacturer based in Sandbach.

Three new trustees complete the transformation with Kathy Cowell, group chair of Your Housing, Stuart Davies, general manager of St. David’s Hotel, and Bill Evans, vice-chair of Chester Rugby Club, all bringing a wealth of skills and experience to the board.

Anne Boyd, chief executive, said: “The change to Active Cheshire is reflective of our target to get 50,000 more people more active, more often in the county by 2017.

"We work closely with many partners from both sport and health, and together we have spent the last 25 years making a marked difference to the residents of Cheshire.

"Many of those years were led by David Newton, and I am delighted he is remaining a key part of the organisation in his new role as Patron. I am very excited about what we will achieve as we move forward with our wider physical activity remit and under Mark’s leadership I’m confident that the organisation will go from strength to strength.”

Mark Greaves, chair of Active Cheshire, added: “I am delighted to be appointed Chair of such a forward-thinking, dynamic organisation that is so committed to making a difference in Cheshire through physical activity. I look forward to helping to get the county moving.”