Championing a stronger, more active nation
ukactive is the trade body for the fitness, leisure and physical activity sector, representing more than 3,000 members and partners across the private, public and third sectors — from major organisations to local community groups. We provide high‑value membership services, meaningful connections and the conditions for the sector to grow, innovate and thrive.
As the national voice for physical activity, we bring the sector together to share insight, build partnerships and influence policy. Guided by our members and grounded in evidence, we work to create a more inclusive, professional and sustainable sector that improves the health of the nation.
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is a healthier nation, achieved by getting more people, more active, more often. We believe physical activity should be accessible to everyone, and that a strong, connected and influential sector is essential to making this happen.
Our mission is to support, represent and champion organisations across the fitness, leisure, sport and physical activity landscape. We do this by delivering high‑value membership services, facilitating high‑impact partnerships, producing sector intelligence, supporting campaigns, and influencing policy as the voice of physical activity in the UK. Through collaboration, transparency and evidence‑led advocacy, we enable our members and partners to grow, succeed and deliver meaningful impact that improves the health of the nation.
A shared strategy for sector growth and national impact
Vision 2030 sets out ukactive’s long-term plan to create a healthier, more active nation by strengthening, supporting and elevating the physical activity sector. The strategy outlines the opportunities and challenges ahead, and the collective action needed across operators, partners and policymakers to get more people, more active, more often. Vision 2030 focuses on key areas including sector growth and innovation, workforce and standards, health and wellbeing, consumer engagement, data and insight, infrastructure, and the role of partnerships in driving national impact. We invite you to explore the full strategy and see how we can shape the future of physical activity together.
Vision 2030
ukactive's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) statement and action plan
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement
ukactive is a place where everyone has the opportunity to work, develop and succeed, irrespective of their background, age or ability. We aspire to be a community where diversity and inclusion is celebrated, all feel engaged, valued and supported within a collaborative working environment. We believe that doing this enables all to do their best work, meaning ukactive is successful in delivering the most value for our members. We commit to continually review and report on our progress against these aims.
Areas of Focus
Building a Diverse Organisation
Understand and improve the diversity across our workforce and governance groups.
Engagement and Activation
To raise awareness of, celebrate and champion internal and external efforts on EDI.
Fairness and Equality
Ensuring all staff are supported, trained and have equal and fair access to opportunities.
Building a Diverse Organisation
- Audit, monitor and publish the diversity of our workforce, board and committees.
- Compare the diversity of our workforce with that of national trends and similar organisations.
- Improve the diversity in leadership and governance positions by agreeing achievable time-bound targets.
- Embed EDI within recruitment policy and processes. Openly communicating ukactive’s commitment through the process.
- Track applicant and candidate equality data.
- Track and broaden reach of advertisements.
Engagement and Activation
- Appointment of senior champions of EDI for ukactive and our Board
- Staff Council formed to help support inclusivity across all levels of organisation.
- External and internal EDI plans are communicated to all of our people.
- Publish EDI plan summary on our website.
- Workforce opinion and awareness of EDI is actively sought through staff engagement survey, with results clearly communicated.
- Set annual calendar of events to display and support EDI, seeking opportunities to partner with specialist organisations and initiatives.
Fairness and Equality
- Full review of internal policies to ensure EDI considered throughout.
- Policies are made freely and readily available to all workforce.
- Personal development is encouraged and supported. All development and training opportunities assessed on a free of bias basis.
- All employees to be appropriately supported by completing regular EDI training.
- Working environment and practices are assessed to create an environment where all are able to work to their best.
Financial
As part of our commitment to good governance and financial transparency, we publish our annual financial accounts. The reports for the past two years are provided below for reference.
Board
David Stalker
Chair
Katy Cox
Treasurer
Mark Sesnan
Elected Director - Public Leisure Operator Sector
Huw Edwards
CEO
Victoria O’Byrne
Independent Non-Executive Director
Dave Courteen
Chair of Membership Council
John Treharne
Elected Director, Commercial Fitness Sector
Melinda Nicci
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jordan Cummins
Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr. Sonia Adesara
Independent Non-Executive Director
Claudette Elliott
Independent Non-Executive Director and Board Lead for Welfare and Safety
Public Operator Council
Private Operator Council
Supplier Council
Independent Council
Wider Activity Forum
Craig Jones
Chair of Wider Activity Forum
Matt Bazely
Zoe Cooper
Andrew Denton
Julie Robinson
Andy Salmon
Standards & Legislation
Caleb Brown
Chair of Standards & Legislation Committee
Chris Hebblewhite
Vice Chair of the Standards and Legislation Committee
Becky Pitcher
Dan Fewings
Denise Din
George Lampshire
Joey Franco
Keith Evens
Mike Price
Matt Wickham
Michael Bruce
Rachael Hart
Rachel Gibbons
Tom Kent
Adam Clements
Amanda Butler
Deena Gillan
FAQs
Organisation FAQs
What is ukactive and what does it do?
ukactive is the trade body for the fitness, leisure and physical activity sector. It represents, supports and champions its members across the private, public and third sectors, all of whom share a common purpose: to get more people, more active, more often.
It exists to support its members – operators from the private and public sectors, independent operators, suppliers, and wider activity providers in sport and recreation – by providing clear, high-value membership services, facilitating meaningful connections and creating the conditions in which the sector can grow, innovate and deliver impact.
As a convenor and collaborator, ukactive brings the sector together to build high-impact partnerships, share insight and expertise, and enable collective action. It delivers inclusive, evidence-led campaigns and conducts critical research that helps members engage diverse audiences.
As the voice of physical activity in the UK, ukactive champions its members and represents their interests to government, policymakers and the media. It lobbies for investment, fair legislation and policies that support members to grow and reach more people. It also protects members by managing issues of reputational risk and providing the resources, intelligence and products needed to navigate change and improve standards.
Above all, ukactive is a member-led community. Its work is shaped by its members, grounded in insight and focused on enabling a more inclusive, professional and sustainable sector—ensuring that, together, the health of the nation can be improved.
How is ukactive funded?
ukactive is independently funded through contributions from its members and partners and receives no core Government funding. However, it is a System Partner of Sport England (an arm’s length body of the Government) and receives funding to support the delivery of specific projects aimed at the development and growth of the sector.
When was ukactive formed?
ukactive was created as a not-for-profit trade body in 1991, with the name FIA (Fitness Industry Association). ukactive became the brand name of the organisation in November 2012.
Does ukactive have a consumer complaints policy for complaints regarding ukactive facilities?
ukactive is not a statutory or governing body and therefore has no legal remit for processing consumer complaints. However, in the interest of protecting the sector and upholding standards, it operates a procedure for handling complaints from consumers relating to its members.
Where does ukactive stand with regards to the other sport and physical activity based organisations?
ukactive is not a new organisation, but one that has been established for over 20 years and continues to adapt and evolve to best serve its core purpose.
It works with a wide range of partners in pursuit of getting more people, more active, more often.
Partnership is central to its approach. For example, ukactive works closely with Sport England, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the Local Government Association and CIMSPA, among others.
The mission to turn the tide on inactivity is far greater than any single organisation. ukactive recognises that it would only scratch the surface alone, which is why its strategic partnerships are so important.
What different workstreams do ukactive have?
ukactive works across a broad range of areas to support and advance the sector. This includes policy and lobbying to strengthen relationships between Government and the sector, advocating for safer spaces in gyms for women and girls, and delivering national consumer campaigns such as National Fitness Day.
Through these and other workstreams, ukactive drives the sector forward in pursuit of the shared ambition of Vision 2030.
How does ukactive work across the UK? What is it doing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Since the formation of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), there has always been a UK-wide reach, and ukactive continues this legacy.
However, ukactive recognises that more can be done to support and promote active lifestyles in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it is continually seeking opportunities to strengthen its impact in these nations.
Organisations and stakeholders based in these areas who are interested in working together to get more people, more active, more often are encouraged to engage with ukactive to explore potential collaboration.
Which organisations make up ukactive’s membership?
ukactive’s directory includes over 3,000 members, comprising a wide range of organisations across the public, private and independent sectors. These include operators, suppliers, activity providers, major consumer brands, equipment manufacturers and charities.
Membership FAQs
Why should I join ukactive?
There are a range of benefits that you will receive by joining ukactive. From a volunteer running a walking group to the largest retailer in the world, if you have a role to play or a benefit to be gained from getting the nation more active, more often, there is something in ukactive for you.
Who can join ukactive?
Any organisation that is directly involved in, connected to, or aligned with the physical activity sector—and shares the mission of getting more people, more active, more often—can become a ukactive member. ukactive works with operators, suppliers, independent providers, charities, organisations outside the sector, and many others to help get the nation more active.
What benefits do I get from joining?
By joining ukactive, you gain access to the insight, influence and connections needed to strengthen your organisation and succeed in a rapidly evolving sector.
Membership provides regulatory guidance and sector standards to help you operate with confidence, a stronger collective voice through government advocacy and policy engagement, and access to research, data and benchmarking to inform decision-making. You’ll also benefit from valuable networking opportunities, industry events and collaboration across the sector to support growth and innovation.
To explore the full range of benefits and find the right membership for your organisation, visit our membership page.
Do I have to be a member to work with ukactive?
Yes, organisations are required to be members in order to work with ukactive. To find out more about membership options, what is included, and to explore opportunities to work together, organisations are encouraged to visit the membership page.