SPORTS fan and Lancashire Evening Telegraph columnist Phil Lloyd has been appointed development director of Blackburn Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

Phil, 44, who lives in Blackburn with his wife and two teenage daughters, recently completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Lancaster University and took up the post this month.

Prior to studying for the degree, Phil, a Blackburn Rovers and Lancashire County Cricket fan, who writes our Down by the Riverside football column, held a number of senior marketing positions in financial services companies and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

He said: "I am delighted to join a school with such a reputation for academic excellence.

"For me, marketing is not an option for schools, it is essential and I believe my experience from the world of finance can help QEGS continue its fine tradition and achieve its long-term goals."

Headteacher Dr David Hempsall added: "When we received a very positive report from school inspectors earlier this year they recommended we do more to let people know about the activities of the school and it's people.

"We have a tremendous commitment to sport, for example, and our pupils are increasingly involved in the local community and part of Phil's role will be to make sure that we do not hide our light under a bushel."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.