A LEADING provider of children’s outdoor playground equipment has appointed a new managing director.

Haverthwaite-based Playdale Playgrounds Limited has announced that Barry Leahey has taken over from John Croasdale, who established Playdale with his father in 1978 and was the managing director for 18 years.

In his new role Mr Leahey, who has more than 11 years’ experience in the playground industry, will be responsible for running the company and driving new business growth both in the UK and in key global markets around the world.

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"This is a fantastic company with a great history and a very bright future," he said. "I am confident that with the business plan we have in place and the staff that I have at the company, we can continue to push forward and take the business to the next level.”

Mr Croasdale, who continues to oversee the business as chairman, said: “Barry is a remarkably talented and driven young man, with a wealth of experience in our industry and in our business. We have ambitious plans at Playdale and I am very much looking forward to helping Barry take our business on to its next level of successful growth.”