Churchill Retirement Living has appointed Ian Byers as regional managing director for its South East region.

Byers (pictured) is returning to the business two years after setting up a sports agency, 17 Management, which manages UK sporting stars including Paralympian Hannah Cockroft and wrestler Kelly Edwards. Prior to that, he spent 12 years as part of Churchil’s senior management team.

Based in the group’s regional head office in Byfleet, he joins Churchill’s main board, working alongside chairman and chief executive Spencer McCarthy.

Churchill turned over £190m in 2016 and employs more than 500 staff across six UK offices.

McCarthy said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ian back to the Churchill board. His appointment comes at an unprecedented time of award wins and success for the group, but we still have plenty more to achieve.

“I am looking forward to working with Ian to achieve our goals for the south east region in 2017.”