Paul brings two decades of experience to his role at Future Fit, as a personal trainer, PT manager, consultant and educator. He has created a successful PT business as well as working for some of the leading brands in the fitness industry. As Education Project Specialist at Future Fit, Paul is now involved in the development of bespoke training products that support fitness, health and wellness professionals. Paul is also a writer and presenter and uses these platforms to campaign for improvement of training standards across the industry.

Tim joined ukactive in March 2020. As the Lead for EDI at the trade body for fitness and leisure, his remit includes developing the sector towards greater inclusivity. ukactive supports its members through standards, programmes, campaigns and interventions to deliver it’s mission of ‘more people. more active, more often’. Tim is passionate about the role of Diversity and Inclusion as a key function to deliver ‘Vision 2030’ – developing the sector to be more inclusive and engaging with 20% of the population.

Tim was previously working at Premiership Rugby. During his time at the executive body running professional rugby union in England he developed and delivered an Inclusion Strategy involving campaigns, programming and policy for each of the 9 ‘protected characteristics’. His notable work included a ‘Commitment to Accessibility’ which was shortlisted for a BT Sport Industry Award in 2018, and the ”Project Rugby’ programme which was shortlisted for a British Ethnic Diversity Sports Award and was a two-time award winner at the Sport Business Awards.

Ali Jawad is a 4x Paralympian, Paralympic Medallist, PhD candidate and the co-founder of the Accessercise app – the world's first complete fitness app designed especially for the disability community.

Ali was born in Lebanon with no legs, during a troubled time in the country. He was moved to the UK at 6 months old in order to save his life and give him a chance. He has battled against the odds and defied science at multiple turns in his career. Diagnosed with Crohns before his Paralympic debut, Ali went on to win a career grand slam of medals.

Ali has broken world records, become world champion, European champion, national champion. He has won Paralympic silver, multiple Commonwealth Games medals and much more. Outside of elite sport Ali is an athlete representative on many boards, a keen anti doping advocate and passionate disability inclusion advocate.

During the Covid Pandemic while training for Tokyo, Ali co-founded and launched the world’s first complete disability fitness app, Accessercise. Accessercise removes the barriers faced by the disabled community in relation to physical activity, exercise and healthy living.

Katherine has over twenty-five years’ experience in sport and physical activity and is passionate about making a positive impact at scale. She began at The Football Association in the nineties as part of a small team working on women’s football. She built the first ever Marketing and Communication strategy which helped it become the top female participation sport in England, second team participation sport (to men’s football) and even shifted cultural norms for women. It was mission led, put the athletes at the centre and made transformative change.

For the last 10 years she has been a Director at Intelligent Health, founded by Dr William Bird MBE, where the focus is on tackling inequalities, ill health and climate change through building active communities. Katherine has guided the growth of a mass participation game called Beat the Street that encourages people to improve their health through small changes to daily behaviour – through walking, wheeling and cycling. Typically 10% of a place takes part, with the largest game in Sheffield attracting 60,000 participants – adults and children. Using social marketing and trusted behaviour change techniques it’s become one of the most effective mass behaviour change programmes in public health.

Katherine has led Beat the Street’s national work with Sport England since 2017, building it into a programme that has been taken across England and is now recognised as a transformational tool for places. The programme combines community engagement, behavioural science, data insight, project management and marketing expertise. It all sits on digital platform that allows delivery at scale and leverages innovative technology and gamification.

Beat the Street works like a high-profile mass sports event hosted in a place, but for residents themselves to take part, turning where they live and work into a playground and allowing them to enjoy spending time together whatever their age or ability. It works because it’s easy, accessible simple and timely but most of all it’s fun. For places and partners, it provides access to valuable data that can drive insight for health and the wider system to deliver population level change.

Beat the Street has worked in over 170 places and with 1.8 million participants. Typically, 87% register and of these, 53% are adults and 47% children. With Sport England there have been 57 places and over 730,000 participants. Tackling inequality sits at the heart and data shows a third have joined from IMD 1-2 populations, 71% of adult participants are women, 19% have a disability or long-term condition, and there is over-representation or mirrored Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse groups compared to local data sets. There is an on average an 8% decrease in inactivity for adults following the game phase.

In her spare time, Katherine is Chair of Rounders England and although she has retired from playing football she still loves heading out for walks with her family and friends.

Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of British Esports, Dave brings extensive experience and expertise to the national federation.

In addition to his role at British Esports, Dave holds the position of CEO at Esports Global, an investment and consultancy firm specialising in esports, and served as a Strategic Advisor to FINTECH Circle.

He also supports operations at Resolve Esports and was formerly co-owner of the London Royal Ravens Call of Duty franchise, further showcasing his multifaceted involvement in the esports industry.

With over two decades of experience advising the esports and education sectors, Dave has worked closely with government bodies, professional institutions, and employers both in the UK and internationally.

At British Esports, Dave serves as the Senior Vice President, leveraging his extensive expertise to cultivate relationships with key strategic partners, policymakers, esports organisations, and athletes. His responsibilities span various areas, including Education, International Relations, Research & Innovation, Strategy & Development, Policy & Standards, Stakeholder Engagement, Relationship Management, Safeguarding, Coaching, and Special Projects.

High-performance, award-winning Change Leader with a multi-decade track record in excelling in B2C international P&L dynamics while maintaining multi-million-dollar operating budgets. Continually augmenting a progressive, internationally focused-career within high-end luxury and CPG companies.

Currently, Jen is COO and co-founder of Brawn Power a fast growing fitness tech start up in London. Brawn is revolutionising the fitness sector by making lifting more accessible and inclusive. Brawn's mission is to provide a fully digitised lifting experience, offering workout tracking, progress charting, and innovative solutions for both gym members and personal trainers.

David is a creative business leader who's making waves in the world of sports, fitness, and wellbeing.

Back in 2020, David got tired of seeing unimpressive perks and discounts wherever he turned in the fitness world. He knew there had to be a better way to treat members, so he started Endurance Zone. His goal? To give companies a way to reward customers with benefits that they would actually use and enjoy, helping to keep customers engaged and coming back for more. Thanks to his vision, Endurance Zone quickly grew into the biggest name in sports rewards around the globe.

David now leads a global team which supports a whole host of different organisations from governing bodies, gyms and health organisations to fitness apps and professional sports teams.

Endurance Zone are powering the likes of Virgin Active, Sweatcoin, British Cycling, Echelon and many more.

When he's not shaking things up in the business world, David loves to stay active. He's swapped his rugby gear for a bike, embracing cycling after his days playing for rugby for England. He understands what everyday fitness, sports and health consumers go through because he's one of them, and he's always looking out for new ways to improve the sector.

Tanya is Head of Insight and Innovation at Women in Sport, a UK charity with a 40-year record of success in securing change, based on its deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of women and girls and breaking down stubborn gender inequalities within the sports sector and beyond. Tanya leads the charity’s influential body of research to understand the impact of significant life-stages on women and girls’ sport and exercise journey. She passionately believes in the power of sport to transform lives and that women and girls should not be denied the joy and freedom sport and exercise offers. Using deep insights into their wider lives, she drives solutions that can create lasting change for women and girls in sport and society. Prior to her role at Women in Sport, Tanya worked in higher education as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and is currently an Associate Lecturer at The Open University.

Clinically she specialises in women’s health physio and Ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor. She treats all things pelvic health, bladder, bowel and sexual issues and runs a menopause MOT service.

Before starting up the clinic, she worked as superintendent physiotherapist at the out-patients department at the Central Middlesex Hospital and a research officer. Christien completed a master’s degree in clinical research methodology from King’s College and has coordinated a large clinical trial looking at the effects of physiotherapy for acute low back pain. Her work has been published in medical peer review journals worldwide.

She is the co-founder of the online Menopause Movement online training & community platform for health and fitness professionals, www.menopausemovement.co which was launched in September 21. The movement has created a community and training platform for the fitness and health world to confidently treat & train women into the menopause. She joined the educational subcommittee of the https://thepogp.co.uk/ in 2020, enjoying working alongside some very impressive physio peers to support training and awareness of pelvic health.

She loves everything about movement, continues to compete as an age-group athlete for British triathlon representing Britain. Much of her drive is supporting women in enjoying movement and staying strong.

www.whitehartclinic.co.uk

www.menopausemovement.co

Doctor (Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, General Practitioner, Scope Certified Obesity Specialist) | Psychology Coach | Educator | Award winning Content creator | Fitness Trainer | Entrepreneur | Serial volunteer

Founder & Director

Volve HEALTH

Psychology + Coaching + Consultancy + Training + Advisory

WELL-BEING X FITNESS X SOCIAL IMPACT

volvehealth.co.uk

Doctor NHS

Tutor & Examiner Institute of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medicine Queen Mary University of London

Learning Academy Associate, Lifestyle Medicine Core Accreditation Assessor, Regional Director, Special interest group Physical activity & Mental Health British Society of Lifestyle Medicine

Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Member of the UK & International Health Coaching Association

Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners

Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2007)

Graduate Member The British Psychological Society

SCOPE Certified World Obesity Federation

Graduate GP Leadership in Obesity & Weight management (GLOW) Royal College of General Practitioners

GP Special interest Group Royal College of General Practitioners, National Centre for Creative Health

Champion SELF CARE FORUM

Coach NHS Leadership Academy

Health Coach The Cancer Coach

Freelance writer, author, associate Medical Journalists Association

Fellow Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

Health Influencer - FIDES Global network World Health Organisation

Physical Activity Champion The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care 2022-2023

Doctor & Games Maker London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games

STAND FOR HEALTH, for everyone, everywhere

The Global touring pop event & community education movement for WELL-BEING X FITNESS X SOCIAL IMPACT

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Innes has over 35 years experience in operations, marketing and senior management in the Health and Fitness Industry.

From hotel groups to the industry trade association, Innes has worked as a senior executive in some of the sector's leading organisations including

Group Operations Manager - De Vere Hotel Group, Operations & Marketing Director - Fitness First, Executive Director - The Fitness Industry Association (now UK Active), Operations Director - energie Fitness Franchise and Managing Director - energie Fitness Ireland.

In his current role as Director of Business Growth & Innovation at UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA), Innes now draws on all of this experience to promote the role of Health Coaching, grow the association and elevate the awareness of health coaching as an effective practice in personalised health care and health creation.

Recognising the value of health coaches in supporting individuals to achieve positive behaviour change, Innes is working hard to promote the practice of health coaching to the Physical Activity and Sports Sector, believing passionately that when integrated in to existing products and services, health coaching will improve attendance, adherence, retention and subsequently results for clients and operators, alleviating pressure on the health and care services.

Izabella continues to build the very first, pioneering professional body for Health Coaching in the world. Standing for professionalism, community and enterprise she is committed to spreading the word that skilled, professional health coaches are not only changing lives, but that a health coaching approach transforms health professionals’ practice and will transform healthcare delivery systems– nationally and globally.

As a former Health Research Psychologist and a qualified Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine Health Coach, Izabella takes a whole-health perspective on the bio-psycho-emotional-social-spiritual-environmental influences that make up an individual’s unique lived experience.

With over 30 years’ experience in the health, wellness and executive management space, her roles have included: Health Research Psychologist in Public Health Medicine, NHS/Department of Health Programme Manager and Managing Director of a Management & Organisational Development Consultancy. She is the author of THE REAL FOOD SOLUTION in support of the British Association of Holistic Medicine and Healthcare’s (BHMA) Real Food Campaign UK.

Jo is passionate about helping people reach their full potential with health and wellbeing being at the heart of this. Physical activity forms one of the main cornerstones of her own life and she recognises the huge significance it has to living a healthy and happy life.

From her background in Sport and Exercise Sciences and Health Promotion, Jo was a former Research Fellow at Southampton, Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities. She gained a PhD from Warwick University, while working in the Division of Health Sciences, and later worked in the Unit of Academic Primary Care, where she served as Assistant Professor. In 2022 she gained a Level 5 Diploma in Integrated Health and Nutrition Coaching, and is currently completing her Level 3 Personal Training qualification.

In her current role as an NHS Health and Wellbeing Coach within a personalised care team, Jo supports patients across eight GP practices within the Leamington Spa Primary Care Network, where she delivers lifestyle clinics, one-to-one health coaching, physical activity sessions involving walking, running, swimming and ‘prambling’ (buggy walking!). She also presents and writes in the area of health coaching and lifestyle behaviour change to a variety of audiences. Jo also represents the UKIHCA as both a member and Physical Activity Ambassador, where she aims to raise awareness of the huge benefits that collaborations between health coaching professionals and physical activity professionals can bring to improving public health.

Lyndsey has over 24 years’ experience as a qualified Occupational Therapist, registered by the Health and Care Professions Council and a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy. Lyndsey leads the Sport for Confidence team of therapists with innovation, inspiration and care. Lyndsey uses physical activity as a therapeutic modality to promote good health and prevent ill-health, laying the foundations for how integrated health pathways can be delivered in meaningful partnership with leisure, sport, adult social care and health.

Becks career journey spans over two decades in the leisure industry, with a significant proportion of it with Everyone Active, who currently manage over 225 facilities in collaboration with 67 local authority partners. For the past 13 years, Becks has had the privilege of contributing to the organisation's mission and vision, particularly in my role as the Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing.

As Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing, Becks is responsible for leading the delivery of our Community Health and Wellbeing strategy, which is a key strand of our corporate plan. Together with our regional and local colleagues focusing on activity and wellbeing, the strategy aims to empower communities and individuals to embrace active daily living and lead healthier lifestyles with targeted programmes and initiatives.

Collaboration and co-design have been key to Becks approach in driving initiatives aimed at promoting health and wellbeing within our communities. Using experiences and insights, hand in hand with our valuable colleagues, stakeholders, local authorities, and community members to create a consistent approach that effectively addresses the diverse and evolving needs of our communities.

Lisa West is Head of Policy, Partnerships and Public Affairs at Women in Sport and is a passionate advocate for gender equality. Lisa has worked in Local Authority, at Swim England and as a consultant, designing and delivering many projects across sport and leisure. Her 16 years in the sector enable a deep understanding of the system and how it needs to change to enable women and girls to thrive as participants, volunteers, professionals and, very importantly as leaders. Lisa believes whole heartedly in the power that sport and physical activity has to improve lives.

Having heard someone describe themselves once as an ‘enthusiastic amateur’ when it came to their sporting endeavours, Lisa has shamelessly used it since, regularly playing netball and taking on triathlons. Outside of work and sport Lisa is a School Governor and a member of the UK Coaching Advisory Group

Since starting in the industry in 1996 as a group exercise instructor and lifeguard, then onto PT, Fitness Manager, NVQ Trainer and since 2010 Head of Fitness, Sarah has seen a lot of changes! She enjoys being part of a dynamic and forward-thinking senior team within Places Leisure focusing on community, health, fitness, innovation, partnership working and inclusion.

The Big Sister Project has positively impacted Places Leisure and changed our operating model for the better, for good. Sarah truly believes that community-based, accessible activity for all is the perfect approach to improve the health of the nation.

Natasha Hood is the Active Environments Manager at London Sport, where she manages the Space for Girls project. With a background in environmental policy, Natasha is passionate about the relationship between design and public health. Her interest in creating health environments was heightened during the pandemic, which underscored the inequities and barriers that certain groups face in accessing physical activity and health services. Natasha advocates for spaces that encourage and support physical activity through inclusive and active design with equitable access to sports and physical activity.

Natasha was a college tennis player in the US where she quickly picked up on American slang and became a fan of American sports - just please don't ask her the rules of American football! An ardent supporter of the power of sports and physical activity to change lives, Natasha believes in the power of non-traditional spaces and activities to break down barriers. She is dedicated to creating environments where girls and women feel welcomed and empowered, inspiring a new generation of active, empowered women.

A leading authority on member retention, Guy is on a mission is to help more people to be healthier and happier by spreading the word on member-retention initiatives that work. This work has led to the HealthSeeker movement, helping clubs to attract, engage, and support people who don’t want to work-out but do want better health.

Since founding GGFit in 2008, he has worked with independent clubs, national chains, boutiques, and low-cost operators. Projects range from data analysis to building retention policies and processes, running coaching workshops and sending member communications.

Guy’s systems background means he can help people understand complex processes and programmes. He also knows what makes people tick, having trained, and practiced as a successful life coach.

He hosts the popular YourDreamGym podcast, co-founded The Collective, a network of fitness industry professionals, is a regular speaker at industry events, and his book Stick Around has 4.9 stars on Amazon.

I am currently the COO of Plymouth Active Leisure a local authority trading company with the task of making Plymouth the most physically active coastal city by 2024. I have worked in several locations and successfully connected our industry and the health services through a collaborative and systemic approach. First, by understanding the local need, analysing the workforce and then through a partnership approach creating impactful sustainable programs to benefit community health & wellbeing. I believe in getting on with 'stuff' and the key to the 'pivot' is a truly collaborative approach and investing in people.

Jo is passionate about helping people reach their full potential with health and wellbeing being at the heart of this. Physical activity forms one of the main cornerstones of her own life and she recognises the huge significance it has to living a healthy and happy life.

From her background in Sport and Exercise Sciences and Health Promotion, Jo was a former Research Fellow at Southampton, Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities. She gained a PhD from Warwick University, while working in the Division of Health Sciences, and later worked in the Unit of Academic Primary Care, where she served as Assistant Professor. In 2022 she gained a Level 5 Diploma in Integrated Health and Nutrition Coaching, and is currently completing her Level 3 Personal Training qualification.

In her current role as an NHS Health and Wellbeing Coach within a personalised care team, Jo supports patients across eight GP practices within the Leamington Spa Primary Care Network, where she delivers lifestyle clinics, one-to-one health coaching, physical activity sessions involving walking, running, swimming and ‘prambling’ (buggy walking!). She also presents and writes in the area of health coaching and lifestyle behaviour change to a variety of audiences. Jo also represents the UKIHCA as both a member and Physical Activity Ambassador, where she aims to raise awareness of the huge benefits that collaborations between health coaching professionals and physical activity professionals can bring to improving public health.

Hannah oversees the delivery and development of specialist exercise pathways at Kirklees Active Leisure. Kirklees Active Leisure currently hosts 4 specialist exercise programmes: Moving Mums (pre and post-natal), Fitness for Health (L3 exercise referral), Live Well (phase IV cardiac rehabilitation) and First Steps to Fitness (lifestyle change).

Having completed a Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Hannah has specialised in exercise for cancer patients and cardiac rehabilitation. Hannah believes exercise is a powerful tool to help us find balance in our lives, to uplift and empower us.

She is passionate about helping people discover or rediscover their love of exercise and realise the benefits exercise can have on our bodies and minds, especially in challenging times.

Dan is a distinguished gym owner and global wellness consultant renowned for founding the Wholeman Mission Charity.

His no-nonsense approach to fitness merges physical, mental, and emotional well-being, aiming to improve lives through comprehensive wellness strategies.

Through his charity, Dan passionately advocates for mental health awareness, particularly among men, fostering a supportive community.

His expertise has guided diverse clients, from corporate teams to special forces, in achieving optimal health.

Dan's gym is not just a fitness centre but a cornerstone of transformation and support, embodying his commitment to fostering holistic wellness across communities.

Accomplished Senior Executive adept in Sales & Business Process Improvement, showcasing a rich background spanning the realms of technology, human resources, and nuclear industries.

Demonstrates expertise in Sales, Operations Management, Coaching, Lean Management, Six Sigma, Strategic Business Planning, and leveraging Automation Technology such as RPA to drive transformative change.

Passionate about fostering employee well-being as a cornerstone for talent retention.

Jon Hymus is the managing director of Innerva, the world’s leading provider of power assisted exercise equipment for the health, fitness, retirement and care markets offering an inclusive physical activity and rehabilitation solution for older adults and those with long term health conditions.

Jon joined Innerva in 2022 to steer the British designer and manufacturer through its next phase of growth, both in the UK and globally, to remain at the forefront of innovation in the active ageing sector.

Led by science, Innerva is working with the AWRC, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Strathclyde as well as other partners to break down barriers between clinical and community settings and establish pathways from the health sector into the community leisure environment.

A seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience in the UK health, fitness and leisure sector, Jon has held a number of senior roles during his career, including include those at Serco, GLL and Leisure Connection.

Liz is a passionate advocate for healthy ageing; living and breathing all things movement, activity, exercise and fitness in work and play. With a diverse community wellbeing career spanning over 20 years, Liz has led upon embedding active ageing into all she does, implementing specialist community long-term conditions exercise programmes, delivering training, creating the unique power assisted exercise facility, I Can Therapy Centre, in Hampshire and recently championing Live Longer Better.

Liz is a lover of learning believing that every day is a school day and is in the final stages of completing an MSc Psychology. A true collaborator, Liz relishes the opportunity to work with other passionate people committed to helping people move more and feel better.

Interested in sport from an early age, Duncan played international squash representing Scotland from age 14 culminating in a full International Cap aged 19. Duncan completed a BA ‘Sport in the Community’ Degree majoring in ‘Management & Scientific Analysis of High-Performance Athletes’.

In January 2000 Duncan progressed from Sports Co-ordinator at Heriot-Watt University to Director of Sport at the University of Reading before becoming Managing Director and subsequently Chief Executive of Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City. In March 2008 Duncan moved to Neath Port Talbot to take up the role of Managing Director with Celtic Community Leisure, the first Leisure Trust established in Wales in 2003. After a very successful 6 years in South Wales, Duncan was appointed to his current post as Chief Executive of Wave Active now operating 15 sites across the Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough.

Beyond operating leisure sites, Duncan has been instrumental with the development of a new Wave Active Health brand which has the Aim of empowering independent health and wellbeing, through the design and delivery of behavioural change and activity programmes and pathways that help those suffering from injury, illness and health conditions.

Duncan is also currently working with Lewes District Council to bring traditional General Practice and Primary Healthcare Services to a healthy living, leisure centre environment, offering connected healthcare provision to the heart of the local Newhaven community under one roof.

Andy is a senior lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Strathclyde University in Glasgow (UK) with a career in rehabilitation spanning 30 years, including clinical, academic and research experience.

He currently leads research in technology supported rehabilitation and has been awarded several grants in this area from Innovate UK, Chief Scientists Office and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. His interests lie in developing technologies that provide equitable access to effective rehabilitation. He is the author of more than 90 scientific papers and two textbooks on human movement and biomechanics.

Andy is the director of the Sir Jules Thorn centre for the Co-Creation of Rehabilitation Technology supervising a multi-disciplinary research team of therapists, engineers and scientists.

Marc is a clinician by background with post-graduate qualifications in musculoskeletal and mental health. He has worked in clinical practice for 17 years across a mix of clinical, operational and leadership roles in both the NHS and independent healthcare. Marc is Head of Primary Care for Nuffield Health and responsible for the quality assurance, development and professional leadership across all our clinical services including Emotional Wellbeing, Physiology, Health Assessments, Physiotherapy and Private GP. Marc has a special interest in community rehabilitation, healthy work, digital health and connected health.

Mahli Oppong is a 16-year-old competing boxer at Fight for Peace Boxing Club. Having been perfecting his skills at Fight for Peace for close to 5 years, he started his journey with the club during year 7 of secondary school.

Mahli is currently in the process of training to become a coach, with dreams of passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport to others. His journey at Fight for Peace showcases his dedication to boxing and his drive for personal development

Hi I’m Ola. I'm a Mixed Martial artist and I've been training at fight for peace since 2023.

Hi my name is Zaynab, I’m a volunteer Youth Worker and a partnerships assistant at Fight For Peace.

Shaun Stafford is a Two Time Fitness World Champion and the Founder and MD of City Athletic gyms. He is also the UK & Europe GM for GHOST Lifestyle. Shaun has a huge amount of knowledge and experience in the fitness industry; and has been highly successful in opening and building a community of gym-goers across his two London-based gyms.

Andy is widely recognised as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in the sector. In his role as Strategic Director, Andy is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the company, including seeking new business opportunities, driving innovation, improving third party partnerships and overseeing Parkwood's marketing and business development departments.

He joined Parkwood Leisure in September 2022 from British Cycling where he spent 3 1⁄2 years overseeing the development of their new operating model and business plan. He also co-designed and implemented their Places to Ride investment programme.

Andy has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and has worked with national and international clients including Sport England, UK Sport, SportScotland, Sport Wales, Singapore Government, World Bank and a number of high profile NGBs and local authorities.

With over 15 years’ experience working in the Leisure industry with a varied client base, Alison is passionate about providing individuals at all ages, abilities and backgrounds an opportunity and safe space to exercise and work towards their personal goals.

For a large part of her career, Alison’s focus has been in exercise rehabilitation, specifically for patients with a cardiac, cancer or MSK diagnosis. Alison has supported the set-up, delivery and roll out of many referral provisions whilst working closely with local NHS services, to ensure a smooth transition for the patient, and provide a safe and effective delivery model to encourage long term behavioural change.

Alison has also had experience in exercise prescription and activity roll out for children in her local community during school holiday periods and as Partnerships Manager at ukactive supported the delivery of the Nike Open Doors project in its final delivery year in 2023. ukactive has created a Blueprint for children’s activity, to provide guidance to their members and CYP providers to continue to deliver the Open Doors model. This will enable many more schools to open their doors during the holiday periods and encourage more children to be more active, more often. As a result of this project, ukactive was proud to be recognised within the Governments Sport Strategy.

Alison is also a member of ukactive’s internal CYP steering group, supporting the delivery of their strategy to support activity provision for children and young people.

Dan is a distinguished gym owner and global wellness consultant renowned for founding the Wholeman Mission Charity.

His no-nonsense approach to fitness merges physical, mental, and emotional well-being, aiming to improve lives through comprehensive wellness strategies.

Through his charity, Dan passionately advocates for mental health awareness, particularly among men, fostering a supportive community.

His expertise has guided diverse clients, from corporate teams to special forces, in achieving optimal health.

Dan's gym is not just a fitness centre but a cornerstone of transformation and support, embodying his commitment to fostering holistic wellness across communities.

Danny is the Interim Director of Membership Experience at ukactive, overseeing the relationships with 4000 members throughout the uk. As part of his role, Danny is responsible for the ukactive governance structure which consists of 5 x Member councils, one for each sector channel (Public Operators, Private Operators, Independent Gyms, Suppliers and Wider Activity). Additionally, Danny is the strategic lead for 'Sustainable Futures' having convened a group of experts in their field and key stakeholder partners/ operators to help shape the future strategic direction of this work for the sector

Prior to ukactive he spent 15 years in the franchising sector with Children’s Physical Activity provider ‘Premier Education Group’ where he held various roles from Operations Director to Head of Growth & Partnerships, supporting over 1000 qualified coaches to deliver Sport and Physical Activities into over 2000 schools per week. This work also included building relationships and collaborating with national governing bodies of sport to help increase participation and with major retailer, Sainsbury’s to provide heavily subsidised holiday activities & food to thousands of children via the Sainsbury’s ‘Active Kids’ scheme.

After three decades David is well known for his unique fitness industry knowledge. Providing media commentary, articles, along with public speaking to spark debate within and create support for the sector at large. David and his team are recognised as the go-to for market trends, data and insight built from the annual National Fitness Audit. Passionate about Active Ageing and Climate Change David is at the forefront of new thinking on these subjects along with the new Collective Knowledge for the industry.

John has enjoyed over 35 years' experience in the leisure management sector having served his 'apprenticeship' as a Lifeguard. He's enjoyed c-suite leadership roles for major operators in the UK including Everyone Active, Active Nation and Places Leisure, and been a Director and Board member of UKactive. He's developed and delivered a Transformational Leadership Program to shift the sector's thinking from leisure to preventative health, whilst currently CEO of Stockport Active CIC, a Board member at GM Active and a Non-Exec Director for ActiveXchange. John is passionate about sport and physical activity and continually strives to inspire others. In a nutshell, he's persuasive, challenging of convention and always with a dollop of good humour.

Keith is co-founder of The Alchemist & Adventurer, who provide business and leadership consultancy services to ignite individual, team and organisational growth by helping people to maximise their impact and 'do life' better through transformative experiences. They combine the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of peak human impact to inspire and empower clients to live more fulfilling and adventurous lives for business growth and a better world As an Adventurer he is also crazy about exploring our planet through multi-day endurance experiences which include: The Talisker Atlantic Rowing Challenge, Trans America Bike Race, Marathon des Sables. In 2024, he will kayak the Yukon River with his son in the Yukon1000. Prior to co-founding The Alchemist & Adventurer, Keith was the CEO - Global Markets at Les Mills International, overseeing the growth and expansion of the world's leading provider of group fitness programs and technology solutions. He led the strategy, sales operations and partnerships across the Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and launched and scaled new products & services, such as Les Mills+ & SmartTech. At Hilton Worldwide he was responsible for a global network of over 400 spas and grew the LivingWell Health Club chain and sold to the business to Bannatyne Fitness. He has a track record in people leadership, team and culture building, cultivating sales success and strategy. He loves collaborating with a diverse and talented people who have a shared vision and values of making the world a healthier and happier place.

Lisa has worked in the local authority leisure industry for 25 years; as a consultant for the previous 15 years. Lisa’s career in the industry started at operational level managing local authority leisure centres. She continued to gain experience by heading up a business development department of one of the leading local authority leisure contractors in the UK. She joined Max Associates in 2008, is now Managing Director.

Lisa has provided full project management, financial and technical support for many complex competitive leisure contract procurement projects. She has developed strategic plans for leisure across council areas, leading to comprehensive feasibility studies for new and redeveloped leisure, wellbeing and cultural centres.

David specialises in assisting organisations, to understand that how through an excellent customer experience they can generate referrals, retain customers for longer and enhance the team experience. He also leads on the delivery of active-net.

David was a member elected Trustee of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, he chaired CIMSPA’s Audit and Probity Committee for 9 years, is a Non-Executive Director of LeisureSK, is a member of ukactive’s Membership Council and a member of Leicestershire and Rutland Sport (Active Partnership) Business, Audit and Oversight Group.

Medically qualified at the University of Edinburgh, now training in general practice in Aberfeldy, whilst working part-time at the University of Dundee undertaking research with the division of population health and genomics.

He is co-founder of the community-based initiative 'Healthiest Town' in Aberfeldy, Scotland where they try to enact and inspire local change and he is involved with the charity RunTalkRun.

Callum is an honorary support fellow in physical activity and lifestyle at the RCGP. In 2023 Callum worked as a consultation with WHO Regional Office for Europe addressing physical activity promotion in primary care. He has also recently taken on lead of the BLSM physical activity specialist interest group.

His research interest is physical activity, and specifically physical activity promotion and implementation in primary care. And out of this he founded and co-hosts ‘The Movement Prescription Podcast’.

When not working, Callum will be found running, cycling, skiing or climbing somewhere!

Former PGA golf professional and real-estate developer. Tech entrepreneur and Investor, with 25+ years’ experience across the UK, Europe and Asia.

Founded fibodo to create connected communities, driving Social and Wellbeing outcomes. As part of fibodo continued CSR's commitment, love contributing to the NHS / Doing Our Bit initiative to help improve the wellbeing of the wonderful people at the heart of UK's NHS & Social Care services.

Gill is the co-founder and Director of WildStrong. Before starting WildStrong, Gill founded, scaled and sold a food production business and prior to that she was Managing Director of a locally grown baby food company in Sierra Leone.

Gill holds a Masters in Environmental Politics from King's College London and during her early career worked in communications for environmental NGOs in Brussels the London.

Gill was brought up mostly outdoors in the east neuk of Fife. A natural community builder, Gill started WildStrong as she wanted to create space for people to spend more time outdoors and meet others who lived very locally.

She has always been a mover rather than an exerciser and wanted to create a space for those that will never go to a gym but do want to move more and get stronger.

In 2023, Gill was recognised as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign.

Andrew is a public health professional and is passionate about health promotion and creating achievable exercise for longevity.

Andrew holds a Master in Public Health and has over 15 year’s experience of strength & conditioning coaching, personal training and course development.

“I think the fitness industry took a wrong turn when it adopted a top down model of fitness education. I also feel there is too much emphasis on working out alone and the collection of arbitrary data. WildStrong is the opportunity to embed movement in a community setting, with tangible benefits, creating a peer-lead, distributed model of health practice.”

Additional info:

• Masters in Public Health

• As a trainer worked with both professional athletes and general population.

• Over 10 years as a CrossFit coach, Olympic weightlifting, and competitive fitness.

• Co-founded WildStrong in 2021 to bridge the gap between public health and local, community-based physical activity.

• Believes that the key to health and longevity lies in building community-based cross connections.

Rick is CEO of ParkPlay, a health and wellbeing charity with a mission to build happier, healthier communities nationwide through the life-changing power of play. Before joining ParkPlay at its inception in early 2020 Rick was Strategy Director at sports marketing and mass participation agency Limelight Sports, working with clients such as Team GB and Fitbit. Rick started his career working at a number of well-known media and telecoms brands in marketing and strategy, including The Times, ITV and Virgin Media, before following his passion into sport and health.

Katherine has over twenty-five years’ experience in sport and physical activity and is passionate about making a positive impact at scale. She began at The Football Association in the nineties as part of a small team working on women’s football. She built the first ever Marketing and Communication strategy which helped it become the top female participation sport in England, second team participation sport (to men’s football) and even shifted cultural norms for women. It was mission led, put the athletes at the centre and made transformative change.

For the last 10 years she has been a Director at Intelligent Health, founded by Dr William Bird MBE, where the focus is on tackling inequalities, ill health and climate change through building active communities. Katherine has guided the growth of a mass participation game called Beat the Street that encourages people to improve their health through small changes to daily behaviour – through walking, wheeling and cycling. Typically 10% of a place takes part, with the largest game in Sheffield attracting 60,000 participants – adults and children. Using social marketing and trusted behaviour change techniques it’s become one of the most effective mass behaviour change programmes in public health.

Katherine has led Beat the Street’s national work with Sport England since 2017, building it into a programme that has been taken across England and is now recognised as a transformational tool for places. The programme combines community engagement, behavioural science, data insight, project management and marketing expertise. It all sits on digital platform that allows delivery at scale and leverages innovative technology and gamification.

Beat the Street works like a high-profile mass sports event hosted in a place, but for residents themselves to take part, turning where they live and work into a playground and allowing them to enjoy spending time together whatever their age or ability. It works because it’s easy, accessible simple and timely but most of all it’s fun. For places and partners, it provides access to valuable data that can drive insight for health and the wider system to deliver population level change.

Beat the Street has worked in over 170 places and with 1.8 million participants. Typically, 87% register and of these, 53% are adults and 47% children. With Sport England there have been 57 places and over 730,000 participants. Tackling inequality sits at the heart and data shows a third have joined from IMD 1-2 populations, 71% of adult participants are women, 19% have a disability or long-term condition, and there is over-representation or mirrored Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse groups compared to local data sets. There is an on average an 8% decrease in inactivity for adults following the game phase.

In her spare time, Katherine is Chair of Rounders England and although she has retired from playing football she still loves heading out for walks with her family and friends.

Ken is recognised as one of the leading practitioners in practical systems leadership and how to go about delivering collaborative change in organisations and place networks. Much of this work has involved inclusive and creative engagement approaches to understanding the context of places and organisations, designing new and innovative programmes and approaches to establishing networks and building common purpose among ecosystems and communities.

As a former CEO of Rossendale Leisure Trust, Head of Finance at a local authority and Non Exec Director of an Active Partnership, Ken has an understanding of the sector from a variety of perspectives. Now as a Director of Miova; an advisory firm specialising in leadership development in the public sector; Ken is working across the UK on innovative projects at the leading edge or Sport England's place expansion approach, and helping places, organisations and leaders to see and do things differently.