The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has appointed John Searle to the newly created post of chief medical officer (CMO).

He will spearhead the industry's healthcare sector engagement campaign and has been tasked with raising the medical community's awareness of the role the health and fitness sector can play in both prevention and remedial strategies.

A former consultant anaesthetist and director of intensive care at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, he was awarded the OBE in 1998, for services to medicine and the Hospice Movement.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetics; a Honorary Life Member Association of Anaesthetics of Great Britain and Ireland; and a Distinguished Life Member Intensive Care Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Commenting on his appointment, Searle said his enthusiasm for exercise as a method of healthcare stems from personal experience.After suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis, Searle turned to a personal trainer whose help "transformed his life".

"The arthritis affected all my joints,” Searle said. “At times I was unable to have more than four hours of uninterrupted sleep."

"Within about eight weeks of my first session with a personal trainer, I was completely symptom-free. I had no joint pain and stiffness and my energy levels had improved enormously. I now enjoy uninterrupted sleep and bounce out of bed every morning."

David Stalker, chief operating officer of FIA, said: "John's ability to straddle the medical and fitness sectors makes him the perfect candidate for our newly created CMO position.

"The fact that he combines his professional understanding of the value of exercise with a deep personal experience of its profound benefits means that we have an ambassador who can 'sell us' intellectually and passionately.

Searle will commence work at LIW in September 2009.