Timed to coincide with the launch of the annual Wimbledon Tennis Championships, British tennis star Tim Henman has been unveiled as an ambassador for European fractional ownership company The Hideaways Club.

Henman, also a member of the Club, explained: “Having travelled the world for many years I’ve frequently thought about owning somewhere abroad where I can take my family on holiday but always held back because I didn’t want the added responsibility of owning a house overseas, and didn’t want to be tied down to one place. In The Hideaways Club I have found the perfect solution – a variety of properties that I can use year-round without all the attendant costs, concerns and hassles associated with owning my own house. The whole concept of fractional ownership makes total sense to me.”

The Hideaways Club, which launched in 2007, offers members use of over 20 €1m+ properties throughout Europe, Africa, Mauritius and the Far East. It recently expanded its property portfolio to include south-east Asia with the purchase of a prime area of beachfront property in Malaysian Borneo (pictured).

Located on a 6km stretch of coastline at the northern tip of the country, the villa will be part of the exclusive Kudat Riviera resort. Set in 2.5 acres, the villa will offer accommodation for up to eight people in four large double bedrooms, and guests will have access to resort facilities, including a spa, restaurants, scuba and snorkel diving, and a kids club. The Hideaways Club villa is scheduled to be operational by autumn 2009.