Community Leisure UK is governed by a Board elected from and by the membership. Their collective experience helps the development of the association’s strategy and annual business plan.
The Board consists of four National Executive Directors and up to a maximum of eight Directors.
The National Executive Directors are Chair, Honorary Secretary, Vice Chair and Treasurer.
The Executive Director positions are elected to represent the regions within Community Leisure UK and / or to represent particular perspectives e.g. cultural services, single site operators.
All Directors are elected by the members of Community Leisure UK and can serve for a maximum of three 2-year terms.
Chair – Phil Rumbelow
Phil is the former Chief Executive of Jubilee Hall Trust, retiring from his position there in May 2021. He is also the former Vice-Chair for Community Leisure UK and was a Non-Executive Director of ukactive, and chaired their Membership Council.
Honorary Secretary – Stuart Lockwood, Chief Executive, Oldham Active
Stuart has worked in the sector for over 30 years for councils, private sector and Leisure Trust operators across the North of England. He has worked in Oldham for over 12 years, 10 of which as CEO. Stuart is a Director of GM Active and also a Board member of Northern Roots, an EcoPark development in Oldham. He also volunteers as a coach and referee for his local amateur football club.
Joint Vice Chair – Iain Varah, Chief Executive, Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure
Iain started his Leisure and Culture career in the early 80s at Blyth Leisure centre now an Active Northumberland facility, moving quickly on to the Michael Sobell in Islington followed by two years in the middle east. Eldon Leisure,Newcastle and Carlisle city were the next stop before a number of years as the DSO Manager in Wrekin. Iain secured a Chief Officer role in his mid 30s in the City of Newport managing the Leisure and Culture portfolio for 10 years , he is proud of his role in bringing the Ryder cup to Newport, securing city status and developing a number of facilities now being operated by Newport Live. In 2004 Iain moved to the London Borough of Redbridge where he set up Vision from a client perspective in 2007 and in 2011 TUPE transferred along with 400 staff from his role of Operational Director to the Chief Executive of Vision. Vision although only working in partnership with Redbridge run some of the most diverse services of any CLUK member. This includes Theatre, Drama ,Arts and Culture, Music service ,Events, Community and commercial venues, Food and Beverage, Parks, Allotments ,Grounds Maintenance, Libraries ,health and wellbeing ,Country Parks and leisure facilities. Vision now has a turnover of 23 million and 700 staff. Iain is an ex-chair and honorary member of CLOA and still sits on the Executive, a previous member of the Libraries network which means he still has close ties to the DCMS Libraries and Arts team. Away from his passion for the Leisure and Cultural industry in his spare time he follows Newcastle Falcons and spends as much time as possible on the beaches of north Northumberland.
Joint Vice Chair & Treasurer – Dawn Heaton, Finance Director, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles
Dawn is the Finance Director and Company Secretary for Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles and has strategic responsibility for the organisation’s financial management and organisational development. She has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team for more than 10 years as Finance Director and Head of Finance & Resources. Her roles have included responsibility for a range of strategic projects supporting business expansion, service development and performance improvement. Educated to degree level Business and Finance, Dawn is also a member of ACCA CAT. In addition to leading the financial management of IHL – across multiple client contracts – she has also provided strategic financial support to a range of partners including Proco North-West, GM Active and Bolton Middlebrook Leisure Trust. When she’s not got her head in the accounting book you will probably find her out walking with her dogs or catching up with friends.
National Operators Rep – Ivan Horsfall Turner, Chief Executive, Freedom Leisure
Ivan is the CEO of Freedom Leisure, one of the UK’s leading charitable not-for-profit leisure trusts that manages over 130 leisure and cultural venues across England and Wales. Ivan has worked in the leisure industry for over 35 years. He was instrumental in forming Freedom Leisure back in 2002 when working with Wealden District Council. Initially Freedom Leisure was awarded the contract to run four leisure centres on behalf of Wealden District Council and he has overseen the exponential growth of the organisation to where it is today with sound business and financial management and a philosophy embedded throughout the organisation to improve lives through leisure.
Culture Rep – James Brindle, Executive Director, Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture
James has worked in the leisure and culture sector for nearly 30 years with a passion for culture, sport and the positive effect it can have on peoples’ lives, their health and wellbeing and wider communities. James’s work has extended to leadership roles in County development roles, local government, private sector and charities, critically and for the last 10 years strategic leadership roles within the sector.
James is inspired by the effect the cultural and leisure sectors have on the communities and the many faceted benefits they have in a community environment. Now as an Executive Director of Magna Vitae co-ordinating and principally working with partners delivering the external funding for many health, wellbeing, cultural and sporting projects.
During his career James has also had the opportunity to represent past employers and now Magna Vitae in speaking at key sector conferences. These include Cultural Olympiad, Arts Council England, Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, Royal British Legion, Local Government Association, Elsinore 2032 and the Charity Finance Group.
Warren Smyth, Chief Executive, Abbeycroft Leisure (Central Region Rep)
Warren is the CEO of Abbeycroft Leisure, which is a Not for Profit Company and Registered Charity focused on creating healthier active communities. He has over 25 years’ experience of working in the sport and physical activity sector. Warren oversees the management of a diverse portfolio of facilities and services including traditional leisure centres, community use facilities, a health and wellbeing facility alongside an extensive Active Communities team and an outdoor pursuits service. Abbeycroft manages 19 facilities in 13 different communities and delivers a wide range of programmes and initiatives, generating in excess of £6 million of social value to the community.
Chris Porter, Facility Manager, Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust (North East & Yorkshire Region Rep)
Chris is the Facility Manager of Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust, where he has been employed for the past 20 years, starting out as an apprentice. His role as manager includes the Strategic, Financial, and Operational management of the facility, as well as responsibility for over 25 salaried employees and 100 Volunteers. Chris is also responsible for organising key events within the local area to help raise the profile of the Trust. He is passionate about developing activities, opportunities and services to enhance the physical and mental well-being of the community, as well the volunteer workforce. Outside of work Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is also a volunteer coach for the Tadcaster Junior Football Club U7s team.
Andy Brooks, Facility Manager, BeActive Urmston, (North West Region Rep)
Andy is the Facility Manager at BeActive Urmston, opening the former George H Carnall Centre following a community asset transfer in April 2021. The centre now delivers a diverse range of community leisure and health activity programmes to the local community. Andy is responsible for management and day to day operations and ultimately establishing the centre as a sustainable enterprise. Andy has a passion for leisure and working with other like-minded organisations to realise a thriving local third sector. He has worked in leisure and across several trusts for over 25 years.
Kay Morrison, Chief Executive, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (Scotland Rep)
Kay is the Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation delivering a large portfolio of Leisure and Cultural services across South Lanarkshire. She is also the former Vice – Chair of the Sportscotland Trust Board, having completed two 4 year terms as a Board member.
Kay has worked in the Leisure and Culture sector across Scotland for 19 years in both a Local Authority and Charity context. Her working experience includes roles in Sport & physical activity, Community Recreation, Strategy, Business development and Governance.
Mike Lyons, Chief Executive, Horizon Leisure (South West Region Rep)
Mike is Chief Executive at Horizon Leisure Trust and has over 30 years experience in the sport, leisure and culture sector.
Mike was previously Director of Sport and Leisure at BH Live based in Bournemouth and prior to that Head of Sport and Leisure at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles in Wigan.
Mike has also gained experience in the retirement and adult social care sector holding the position of Managing Director for Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group, heading up residential care, retirement and community partnerships.
Steve Ward, Chief Executive, Newport Live (Wales Region Rep)
Steve is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the leisure, sport, arts and cultural industries. Skilled in Innovation, Inclusion and Equality, Coaching, Strategic Planning, Partnership working, Business Growth and Development, Organizational Development, and Event Management. Strong business development professional with a Sport & Human Movement Studies – management focused degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff.
Duncan Anderson, Chief Executive, South Downs Leisure (South East Region Rep)
Duncan is the CEO of South Downs Leisure, which is a not-for-profit registered charity that employs over 500 people and has particular focus on the triple bottom line of People, Planet, Profit. He has worked in the Leisure industry for over 30 years working his way from a lifeguard to becoming a founder CEO. Duncan oversees the management of a diverse portfolio of 9 facilities across the South Coast covering West Sussex to Brighton, which include a national award-winning wedding venue, Field Place, a beach front Lido, Sea Lanes, and several other leisure facilities.
