Abhi co-founded Love Recruitment in 2015 and is currently the Managing Director. Abhi has exceptional recruitment experience from fitness, sales and communications and brings a special brand of passion and personality to every task. Abhi specialises in working closely with key accounts on a senior level and specialist hires across all of our specialist sectors.  Abhi also works closely with our key clients and key relationships to help them with the recruitment processes and selection strategies.

Adam has over two decades experience for both agency and rights-holders within the sports marketing sector, delivering sustainable commercial rights sales and sponsorship activation for government agencies, national governing bodies and sporting federations around the world.

Before founding Vinix Partners, he was Senior Partner at Altius, where he designed, negotiated, and delivered the ground-breaking ‘societal partnership’ between British Cycling and HSBC UK. He also provided strategic support to the Saudi Olympic Association, Saudi Sports for All, The PGA, European Olympic Committees, Kew Gardens, Saracens and Swim England.

Before joining Altius, Adam was the Marketing Director and Head of Sponsorship for the LTA. He led the sponsorship and hospitality divisions and was central to the award-winning commercial programme which brought in Aegon, BNP Paribas, Highland Spring, Thomson Reuters, Nike and Jaguar.

Adam started his career at IMG before moving to Octagon to lead on sponsorship consultancy, rights activation, and asset creation for global brands, including: Diageo, Vodafone, Zurich and Cable & Wireless.

His agency client work encompassed sponsorship consultancy, rights activation, and asset creation across a broad range of sports including rugby, football and cricket, as well as arts, culture and live music.

Alex is the Founder of LeisureLabs - a full service digital transformation and software development agency focused on providing custom digital experiences for the fitness and leisure industry.

With over two decades of experience in building and scaling companies across the fitness technology space, Alex was previously CEO of Netpulse, a leading provider of branded apps to fitness operators, which was acquired by EGYM in 2018. Prior to NetPulse, he established and led Zoom Media's operations in Europe for 10 years.

Alex is also a member of the ukactive Supplier Council and a technology advisor to a number of startup and scaleup organisations in the fitness and wellness sector.

Allison Savich

Allison has worked in the sector for over 14 years, and has accumulated expertise in the fields of insight, behaviour change, business appraisal and finance. Allison is currently leading Sport England's work on digital and innovation, where their mission is to support others to apply data, innovation & digital in ways that help to improve the experience of getting active. She is particularly passionate about applying these topics to reduce the systemic inequalities and barriers that are stopping people from benefiting from being physically active.

The current work of her team is focused on growing & supporting innovation by creating practical guides such as an Innovation Playbook, helping partners to design experiences that are more intersectional and personalised, guiding the strategic direction of OpenActive (which uses open data to help people get active), working in partnership with ukactive to evaluate the sectors digital maturity & effectiveness via their Digital Futures programme, while exploring critical topics such as digital inclusion, artificial intelligence & codesign.

Andy has held a wide range of roles in his 30+ years of work in corporate environments and as a co-founder of a number of start-ups. His early career utilised his academic education in geographic data and IT, working for various software companies, building analytical systems creating predictive models for clients in retail, leisure, and financial services. In 1999 Andy started GeoBusiness Solutions with two colleagues, providing these analytical services to UK and international clients. The business was acquired by NASDAQ listed MapInfo Corporation in 2005. In addition to various founder roles, Andy has held corporate roles for Rank Leisure and Sainsburys in property & store development. In addition to his role with Anytime Fitness, Andy is a qualified business coach and a trustee of a small community charity.

Chris Windram is co-founder and CEO of Quoox, the specialist premium gym software and business service provider.

Across multiple companies and industries, Chris has delivered cloud-based software solutions for companies ranging from large blue-chip organisations to small independents. With a passion for establishing a balanced life through productivity and efficiency, he and the Quoox team have led a number of innovations within the fitness industry.

Darryl joined the Group as Regional Director in September 2013. He has over 25 years' experience in key operational roles across the leisure sector, including cinemas and theme parks.

Darryl worked in general management, film and content planning and senior operational support roles in the cinema industry for 20 years with Showcase Cinemas, Warner Bros, International Theatres and Vue.

Has worked in the industry since 1985 in many roles such as lifeguard, head pool attendant, duty manager, assistant manager, manager and group manager for the private sector, Local Authorities and leisure management contractors.

His last employed role was with a leisure contractor, taking responsibility for quality, health and safety, human resources and training and development for 60 centres and 3000 employees.

He merged his consulting business of 6 years with Leisure-net Solutions in April 2014. Leisure-net now works with Sport England delivering Moving Communities – the monitoring and evaluation tool of the National Leisure Recovery Fund (in England). He also directs the networking event - active-net, face to face
networking events.

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.

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, is a Non-Executive Director of LeisureSK, was a member of ukactive’s Membership Council, a member of ActiveIQ advisory panel and a member of Leicestershire and Rutland Sport (Active Partnership) Business, Audit and Oversight Group.

David’s qualifications include an MBA in International Sports Management from Loughborough University, a National Examination Board Occupational Safety and Health Certificate and a Preparing To Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification.

Dawn is the Co-Founder of Action Group, the UK’s leading full-service PR and Marketing agency specialising in health, fitness and wellness. Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, both within clubs and in communications, Dawn has built a large network within the sector. Dawn believes firmly in the power of partnerships and collaboration and works hard to bring like-minded brands and individuals together to create lasting change. Dawn is passionate about finding ways to encourage physical activity in people of all ages and abilities and is one of the founding members of RISE, the UK women in fitness organisation campaigning to ensure equality within the industry. Dawn is an advisor for a range of wellness brands and also sits on the ukactive Suppliers’ Council offering communications and events guidance and insight to support the sector.

Denise Ludlam has spent many years working in the environmental sustainability sector. She started her professional career in agroecology research. Denise then spent several years working for national parks in the UK and in central and eastern Europe before moving to environmental work in the charity sector. Much of the focus of her work has been on education and training; sharing experiences in, and communicating about, the importance and value of our natural environment, whether this be a protected landscape or an urban nature reserve. Further work specialised on sustainable travel and transport.

After a ten-year stint as a primary school teacher, leading on science and Forest Schools, Denise stepped back into the sustainability sector. She spent several years working for Derbyshire County Council on strategies and projects to improve the environmental performance of the Council and of the county.

Denise joined Sport England in May 2023 to promote environmental sustainability initiatives within the organisation and to work with partners to improve the environmental performance of the sport and physical activity sector.

When not working, Denise can be found walking in the hills or in her garden.

Emma is a Strategic Lead in Sport England and has held several different roles in the organisation since 2006.

Emma has led on the delivery of several large funding programmes including investment into the London 2012 Olympic venues and more recently HM Treasury’s Covid-19 recovery and energy support funds for public sector leisure.  Her interest in data and impact analysis drove the development of Sport England’s Moving Communities service.  She works closely with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Authorities and leisure operators.

Emma studied Management Science and Spanish at the University of Southampton and recently graduated from the Women’s Sport Leadership Academy.  She is married with two daughters.  Her hobbies include cricket, football, cycling and travel.  She volunteers as a Committee member at a womens’ cricket club and has played for Middlesex and the MCC.

Emma has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality and travel industry. She completed her MBA at Aston Business School with Distinction, specialising in Strategic Account Management.

Emma joined Rapport in 2019, leading regional operations on one of our largest contracts. Prior to this, Emma worked as Head of Operations for a global travel company, with a focus on the European market. Emma’s experience covers a vast array of differing operations including restaurants and bars, hotels and resorts, day visitor attractions, wedding and events venues, retail, and corporate space.

In 2022, Emma joined the head office team as the Head of Business excellence. In this role, Emma enhances operational excellence by finding innovative solutions, and support’s Rapport’s international clients.

Emma has a passion for travel and photography, and she loves spending time with her three children.

Garnet is Head of Equality at Sport England part of the EDI team, leading on women and girls’ partnership and programmes. Garnet has a background in rugby having played for a number of Premiership teams in the past before going back to her grassroots club. Garnet is a member of the RFU Council and one of the founders of The Rugby Black List. Garnet is passionate about EDI and giving opportunities to underserved people to be active, as sport and physical activity has shaped her life so much.

Following school, I immediately dived into the excitement of the Leisure & Entertainment industry. My first role was at the Alton Towers Resort as an Entertainments Experience Host, then progressing to an Entertainments Experience Manager. After this I switched industry and worked in Radio as an events manager and looking after interactive client campaigns on Signal 1 (Staffordshire and Cheshire’s local radio station)

After 3 years in radio, I was eager to return to the entertainment/leisure industry for filling my current role at Superbowl UK. At Superbowl UK I am responsible for the business development. However, primarily the brand, it’s image, marketing strategy, brands we work with and how we can ensure all of our guests have the best experience ever when visiting us.

My name is James Slater and I am the Head of Central Operations for Kutchenhaus Ltd and lead the Head office support centre for the UK business. I’ve been in Retail for circa 22 years in various senior operational leadership from regional management to Head Office with a number of national and international brands

I live in West Yorkshire with my fiancé Paul and we have two sons Lewis & Jordan and a mini Dachshund Winston

Personally and professionally, integrity, honesty and resilience sum up what I believe in. The best part about what I do is to lead teams, support their ongoing development and importantly build inclusive environments and relationships that continue to thrive. I want everyone to feel valued, believe in what they can offer to the world around them and be authentically themselves

Katie has worked in the sport and physical activity sector for over 20 years, particularly focused on improving opportunities for children and young people. She started her career in the university sector, at London South Bank University, where she set up and managed sports development programmes, as well as working with academic staff on widening participation initiatives. Katie started working at Sport England in 2007 carrying out a number of different roles, including Head of Higher and Further Education, and managed both the Active Universities and Active Colleges funding programmes.  Katie currently works in the CYP policy team, with a particular focus on the role of sport and physical activity in young people’s mental wellbeing, as well as working with BUCS and AoC Sport.

Kimberley is a director at ING Media, the UK's leading communications consultancy for the built environment.

She has worked in built environment communications for 15 years, spanning both in-house and agency roles.  Her work focusses on reputational and strategic advisory for clients in a cross-section of the property sector, including investors, developers, asset managers, commercial and mixed-use developers and large scale regeneration schemes.

A fluent German speaker, Kimberley began her career in financial PR focusing on listed property clients’ engagement with financial media around the regulatory environment. Her in-house roles include EC Harris (Arcadis) and the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Matthew Maguire is Head of Programmes at Level Water, a charity that works to instil a lifelong love of water in young disabled people. His role involves working with stakeholders across the swimming sector to increase the quality and number of accessible opportunities for young people to learn to swim. He is also currently an FA Coach Mentor, working with disabled football coaches to improve grassroots coaching opportunities. Prior to this role, Matthew was National Sports Manager at Mencap, working with National Governing Bodies to develop programmes for people with a learning disability. He has also been employed in community development roles for Premiership Rugby and Fulham FC Foundation, working as a programme manager across a number of priorities and as a disability football coach.

I’ve been the Physical Activity and Health Programme Lead for the Richmond Group of Charities since June 2017, overseeing our unique collaborative physical activity programme. My role is about helping coordinate our work to support people with long-term conditions to be more active through collating our insights and developing our understanding of what works to support people with long-term conditions become and stay active; creating resources to distil and disseminate our insights and learning such as our Physical Activity and Long-Term Conditions Resource Packs; integrating physical activity policy into our Richmond Group policy influencing; and supporting and promoting our We Are Undefeatable physical activity behaviour change campaign.

Prior to this role I’ve delivered a programme of community health walks across Hertfordshire; helped oversee the national Walking for Health programme with the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support; and overseen the delivery of Beat the Street, working with Dr William Bird and colleagues at Intelligent Health.

With 15 years of experience in the field of education, I have cultivated a deep commitment to providing high-quality and accessible educational opportunities to all. Currently, the Associate Director for Education/ Training Academy at CIMSPA, where I leverage my extensive background to drive initiatives that enhance the standards and reach of our educational partners and endorsements. My passion lies in ensuring that every learner has access to exceptional education, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and excellence in the sector.

Phil Malatesta is the Head of Sport & Early Years at the University of Southampton. He holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Winchester and has built his career in various leisure and sporting roles, focusing particularly within roles in higher education which have included Warwick, Winchester & Coventry.

With Phil's support, the Southampton Sport team received the UK Active Physical Activity Excellence award in 2023. He is dedicated to enhancing customer experience and physical and mental well-being through movement, working to integrate the university's commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion into active lifestyles. One of Phil’s current project involves the mobilisation of the recent 36 million investment to the University of Southampton’s flagship sport centre.

Phil is an active member of the City of Southampton Activity Alliance and is currently assisting the local Active Partnership with their Place Centered funding application. The University of Southampton’s motto, "Active for all," aligns with his commitment to creating inclusive and engaging opportunities for physical activity within the university and wider community.

With 15 years of experience in the field of education, I have cultivated a deep commitment to providing high-quality and accessible educational opportunities to all. Currently, the Associate Director for Education/ Training Academy at CIMSPA, where I leverage my extensive background to drive initiatives that enhance the standards and reach of our educational partners and endorsements. My passion lies in ensuring that every learner has access to exceptional education, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and excellence in the sector.

Sophie Lawler was appointed as Total Fitness CEO in June 2018, bringing her 25 years industry experience to the company with which she began her fitness journey in 2001.

Courage and an unwavering pursuit of progress have been the hallmarks of her career to date, with a track record of challenging but successful business transformations, both in the UK and internationally for Fitness First, and now at Total Fitness.

Driven by a belief that the potential of a business lies in the growth of its people, Sophie is known for her people-powered approach, and passion for leadership – going so far as to deliver Total Fitness’ leadership programme personally to all levels of the business. Since taking the helm at Total Fitness, Sophie set out to repair Employee Engagement and retention levels as an urgent priority, reviving the brand’s great purpose and belief, bringing it to life with a shared culture and powerful values. As a team committed to delivering their Employer Promise “More is Possible”, in December 2023 the business’ Employee Net Promoter (ENPS) stood at a world-class level of +50.

During the pandemic and beyond Sophie stepped into a leading public role as a voice of the sector – raising its profile and highlighting the essential nature of the great work its people do every day and reaching an audience of over 900 million with 300 appearances across broadcast, print and digital media including live broadcasts nationally on BBC breakfast, BBC News, Sky Business and Bloomberg. Unwavering in her priority commitment to retaining the loyalty and engagement of her teams, she sought the support of stakeholders and partners and guided Total Fitness towards a confident re-opening and subsequent restoration that saw the health club brand achieve pre pandemic levels in just over 12 months post reopening.

Re-setting and re-invigorating the direction of the business in the years since re-opening Total Fitness has developed an industry reputation as employer of choice, thought-leader and pioneer. Re-imagining Total Fitness from within, renewed with and committed to a compelling customer promise, and challenging industry norms, Sophie is dedicated to her self-penned role purpose to “build a business big enough to hold the potential of the team”.

Testament to the success of her strategic and people first leadership, Sophie has overseen 25% growth in the core membership base since the start of FY22, which has underpinned revenue growth of 34% over the same period.
Sophie has received national recognition for her success in transforming Total Fitness with a string of accolades:
• 2019: National Businesswoman of the Year; Top 100 Women in Hospitality & Leisure.
• 2020: Top 5 Women in Sport 2020; Insider 42 under 42 2020.
• 2022: Role Model for Diversity and Inclusion (WiHTL); Awarded role on the UK Fitness Industry Membership council, representing middle market health clubs UK wide (3-year tenure).
• 2023: Winner European Brand Management Awards; Winner Next Generation Initiative - UK Company Culture Awards; Finalist - British Training Awards.

An accomplished public speaker, Sophie is regularly invited to speak at Private Equity, Consumer, or Sector events, 2024 includes (to date) Rainmakers Conference; Critical Eye Retreat; Interpath Leisure and Hospitality Seminar; Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Roundtables.

Tom brings an interdisciplinary approach from linguistics, innovation policy & the arts to public service and health.

He is particularly interested in how the NHS collaborates with charities, businesses, other public bodies, and communities to achieve its goals. Currently, he is working on programmes with Sport England and The Department of Health and Social Care to tackle economic, physical, and social inactivity. He does this by facilitating organisations and communities who do not usually work together to tackle shared problems.

He has been in the Horizons team for four years and is also a part-time MPA student at UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose focusing on health system innovation and the relationship between health and the economy.

Outside of Horizons, Tom is usually on his bike or talking about his bike.

Hi, I'm Wes. Hospitality runs in my family and therefore my veins. Service to others is indeed, and has always been, a passion of mine. Having spent many years with excellent brands such as McDonalds, KFC, ASDA & Turtle Bay, I now find myself leading the charge in the Operations department at Heavenly Desserts UK. Being surrounded by an inspiring and talented team, I'm certain we are on the road to making history, together.

I'm delighted to be a part of the ukactive Awards for the supplier category. Suppliers play a fundamental part of the hospitality industry and seeing great providers get recognised is truly wonderful to see. Serving others is what we do and I'm looking forward to joining the panel soon!