A chance to talk openly about gender equity and anti-misogyny in fitness and sport, the discussion will be based around four key areas:
Allyship: how men can practice meaningful allyship through curiosity-driven learning that prioritises understanding blind spots over fear of mistakes
Banter or harm? How we can move beyond "banter" culture by recognizing threatening behaviours and understanding women's vastly different experiences with harassment, unwanted attention, and safety concerns
Policy: how we implement workable zero-tolerance policies that educate staff and empower them to confidently address challenges women face
Responsibility: exploring the critical responsibility of fitness leaders and influencers to set industry standards while transforming women's fitness development into a shared learning journey.
Women in Sport
Sarah Bellew is Head of Communications and Engagement at Women in Sport, where she leads the organisation’s strategy to shift culture, influence policy and grow support by shining a light on gender inequality in sport.
An award-winning journalist with 20 years’ experience, Sarah specialises in turning research and evidence into powerful public narratives that drive debate and action. She leads integrated communications, partnerships and income strategies that strengthen both the charity’s influence and sustainability.
Under her leadership, Women in Sport has delivered bold, agenda-setting campaigns including Mini Allies and Black Girls and Sport: A Breakup Story, sparking national conversation, securing widespread media coverage and building cross-sector partnerships to address systemic barriers facing women and girls.
As an masters athlete, Sarah currently represents England in Touch rugby and has won two European gold medals and two World Cup bronze medals. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director at England Touch.
Women in Sport
A former England rugby union player, Brian won 64 England caps between 1987 and 1995. He is also a renowned sports commentator. Brian is passionate about furthering the development of sport for women and girls and is the vice chair of the charity Women in Sport. Brian is also a trained solicitor and has a MSc in Psychology from Westminster University.
Sport England
Rowell is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience across public health, leisure, economics, and elite sport spanning three countries. He has successfully led strategic relationships, operational contracts, frameworks, and capital projects alongside local authorities, leisure operators, and national stakeholders.
Combining elite athletic experience with academic training in economics, Rowell offers a unique lens on policy and programme development. His approach is both data-driven and outcomes-focused, ensuring strategies are grounded in evidence and aligned with broader health and societal objectives.
He possesses a deep understanding of social care, health protection, and the wider determinants of health, including socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural factors. His expertise in high-performance sport further enhances his ability to position physical activity as a powerful tool for improving population health and tackling inequality.
Throughout his career, Rowell has demonstrated a consistent ability to navigate complex systems, develop meaningful cross-sector partnerships, and drive impactful change. His work reflects a strong commitment to reducing disparities and improving lives through collaborative, insight-led solutions.
Places Leisure
| Belinda’s journey with Places Leisure began in 2024, adding a new dimension to our collective expertise. With extensive experience and leadership acumen, Belinda has made her mark in hospitality and customer-focused service delivery organisations. Belinda’s integrity, ethical decision making, and strong values means she enjoys uniting people and believes in inspiring a service culture which puts our customers at the heart of everything we do. Outside of work, Belinda and her husband prioritise an active and healthy lifestyle, with a passion for walking and running. Belinda also has a passion for singing and is a member of her local choir. For Belinda, a healthy community means fostering environments where individuals can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. |
