Jam-packed programme to feature high-level keynotes and lively debates on sector’s most pressing topics
ukactive has unveiled the full agenda for the Active Training Conference 2016, with a jam-packed schedule of world-class speakers set to highlight key aspects of building a winning workplace culture.
The key ingredients of what makes for a successful workplace culture and how companies can inspire one will be a major theme of this year’s Conference.
Professor Miquel Lladó, the Academic Director for ukactive Future Leaders Programme and a Strategic Management Lecturer at the world renowned IESE Business School in Barcelona, will deliver a keynote session on how innovative methods of working and learning can ensure a workforce is best-placed to capitalise on latent potential in the physical activity sector.
Lifetime Training founder Heather Frankham will discuss lessons learned on her journey from group exercise instructor to Managing Director of one of the physical activity sector’s largest training providers. Asking what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, Frankham will highlight solutions to some of the key challenges in the development of the activity sector’s workforce, as well as sharing some of the secrets to her success.
Meanwhile, Virgin Active’s recently-appointed People Director Hilary Tysoe will apply learnings from a glittering career at building giant Travis Perkins in her speech on creating a culture fit for the future and the role that the leading employers must play in the development of the entire sector’s workforce.
Professor Miquel Lladó said: “A winning culture arises out of understanding how individuals learn and grow, plus developing a framework that ensures workforces have the tools to continue raising the bar.
“That’s why I’m very excited to be part of the Active Training Conference, which through discussion and insight will shape the development of innovative methods of working and learning, and make sure the workforce is primed to grasp opportunities in the sector.”
Delivered in partnership with CIMSPA and sponsored by Active IQ, the Active Training Conference and Awards take place at the Hilton in Reading on the evening of 30th November. Due to high demand, the Active Training Conference which precedes the Awards will become a full-day programme for the first time, combining keynote speeches with debates on some of the biggest issues facing the sector today, such as the steps organisations can take to continue professionalising the sector, and the impact of the Apprenticeship Levy.
There will also be keynotes on the strategy for new workforce excellence from major figures in the world of physical activity; Nick Pontefract, Head of Sport at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and Phil Smith, Director of Sport at Sport England.
Nick has been influential in developing and implementing the government’s strategy for physical activity and sport – Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation, while Phil oversees the sector’s workforce development in line with the new Sport England strategy – Towards an Active Nation. They will be joined by Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, who has led the institute’s headline work in professionalising UK sport and leisure.
They will come together to reflect on progress made so far in developing the sector’s workforce, and outline future steps and actions to take over the course of the next year.
Among several other sessions, there will be a debate on the role of the physical activity ‘the miracle cure’ as the new frontline of the NHS. Panellists, including Dr Steven Mann, ukactive Research Director, and Dr Justin Varney, National Lead for Adult Health and Wellbeing, will discuss how to embed physical activity into the healthcare system by supporting fitness professionals to develop the advanced skills needed to work alongside GPs and other allied health professions to help patients, and people living with long-term health conditions, get more active.
As ever, the event will culminate with the highly-anticipated Active Training Awards, recognising the organisations and individuals who are leading the way in skills and workforce development. This year, the awards will be hosted by James Pearce, TV presenter and broadcaster for BBC Sport.
The shortlisted finalists comprise providers of training and employers of physical activity professionals in the sector who have performed exceptionally well in the past year. These candidates will go through one final stage of assessment before learning if they are among the winners of eight awards up for grabs on the night.
ukactive Executive Director Steven Ward said: “Expanding the Active Training Awards to a full-day Conference demonstrates our commitment not only to rightly recognising the fantastic strides being taken to build a winning culture, but also ensuring we can continue building on that success, professionalising the sector and revolutionising ways of working.
“The Active Training agenda reflects this commitment, containing a raft of speakers and panellists with expert insight into our sector, representing a chance to discuss some of the biggest issues facing us today.
The shortlist of Active Training Awards Finalists 2016 is available to view on the ukactive website, and tickets for both the Conference and Awards are selling fast.
About ukactive
ukactive is the UK’s leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector, with almost 4,000 members from activity providers to major consumer brands, training facilities and equipment manufacturers. Members come from across the private, public and third sector and are united by ukactive’s longstanding and uncompromising commitment to getting more people, more active, more often.
ukactive facilitates big impact partnerships, conceives and drives breakthrough campaigns, conducts critical research and galvanises key stakeholders to develop and deliver key projects that support and champion the physical activity agenda. The organisation’s efforts are centred on supporting a national ambition to “Turn the tide of physical inactivity”.
More People More Active More Often
