A MARKETING expert from Bolton has been drafted in to increase the profile and potential revenue for a local ice hockey team.

Bradshaw-born Katie MacDonald, aged 29, has been appointed as the new Business Development Manager for Manchester Phoenix ice hockey club, in the run up to the new season, which starts in September.

The club, which plays in the 10-team Elite League, the UK's highest level, has been mothballed for the last two seasons while it negotiated planning permission for a new, purpose-built arena in the centre of Altrincham, but with initial construction well under way, the organisation is now intent on maximising potential business sponsorship.

Former Turton High School pupil Katie said: "My role is to raise the profile of the club wherever I can, and maximise the potential revenue through business sponsorship. We have reckoned that there will be more than 250,000 people in the first year using the arena for 27 games and public skating.

"The building will be open about 18 hours a day, seven days a week, so any advertiser will have excellent exposure."

Before joining the company, Katie, who lives in Edgworth, was a recruitment consultant and national account manager for a household name grocery chain.

"The challenge here is fantastic. We have a very competitive price structure, and, considering the exposure available, our packages stack up very favourably with other sports in the region.

"Most importantly, I'm with a great bunch of committed people. Ice hockey has a very loyal following, so any businesses joining up will have travelling fans from Sheffield, Nottingham, Basingstoke and Belfast coming every week."