Stuart Lockwood has dedicated more than 25 years to improving health, wellbeing and opportunities for communities through leadership roles across the leisure, wellbeing and social enterprise sector.
His career has been defined by progressive leadership and a commitment to social impact.
Alongside his executive career, Stuart has played a significant role in shaping the wider sector through positions including Chair of Community Leisure UK (formerly SPORTA UK) from 2017 to 2021, Director of GM Active and Trustee of Northern Roots.
His has also been Chair of CLUK and also serves on a number of Local Authority committees, contributing his expertise to wider public service and community development initiatives.
Throughout every stage of his career, Stuart has remained focused on one simple principle: improving people’s lives through accessible and inclusive health, wellbeing and community services.
Stuart’s achievements extend far beyond organisational growth. His leadership has had a direct and lasting impact on thousands of people across Oldham and the wider region.
As Chief Executive, he has transformed Oldham Active into one of the country’s most respected community leisure trusts, leading significant investment in facilities, services and community health programmes.
Among his many achievements are:
• Leading Oldham Active through more than 14 years of growth and transformation.
• Securing the long-term sustainability of the organisation through challenging contract negotiations and strategic decision-making.
• Protecting jobs and services during periods of financial uncertainty.
• Championing innovative health, wellbeing and employment programmes that have supported residents into healthier lifestyles, training and employment.
• Expanding access to physical activity through initiatives such as free adult swimming lessons, Active Start memberships and youth participation programmes.
• Promoting a recruitment philosophy based on values, attitude and potential rather than qualifications alone, creating opportunities for people who may otherwise have been overlooked.
• Representing the sector nationally through leadership roles with Community Leisure UK (formerly SPORTA UK), including serving as Chair from 2017 to 2021, and through GM Active.
• Providing support and advice to other leisure trusts and organisations undertaking major procurement exercises.
One of Stuart’s most impressive achievements was leading the delivery of the Government-funded Health Checks Pilot. Faced with an incredibly challenging timeline following delays caused by the General Election, Stuart inspired his team to deliver over 1,000 health checks in half the anticipated delivery period.
Over the course of his career Stuart has navigated significant challenges, including funding uncertainty, changing public sector priorities, complex contract negotiations, organisational restructuring and the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During difficult contract negotiations, Stuart took courageous decisions that were not always easy but were necessary to protect the long-term future of Oldham Active and the services relied upon by local residents.
He consistently focused on securing sustainability whilst safeguarding community impact. The COVID-19 pandemic presented perhaps the greatest challenge of his career. During this period Stuart demonstrated outstanding leadership, balancing financial stewardship with genuine compassion.
Recognising the anxiety many employees were experiencing, he ensured furloughed staff received 100% of their salary, helping provide stability and reassurance during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. At the same time, Stuart and the senior leadership team made personal sacrifices by placing themselves on partial furlough while continuing to support the organisation through the crisis.
The Health Checks Pilot further demonstrated Stuart’s resilience and problem-solving abilities. Faced with compressed timescales and significant operational hurdles, his response was simple: “We can do this. We’ll find a way.” That determination and belief inspired teams across the organisation and enabled them to deliver exceptional results.
What makes Stuart truly exceptional is not simply what he has achieved, but how he enables others to achieve success. He empowers people. He trusts colleagues, encourages innovation and gives people the confidence to take ownership and develop professionally.
Many current leaders within Oldham Active credit Stuart’s support, mentorship and belief in their potential as key factors in their personal and professional development.
He leads with:
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Courage
• Humility
His leadership style creates an environment where people feel valued, trusted and supported. Employees know they can bring forward ideas, challenge thinking and grow because Stuart genuinely wants others to succeed. Importantly, he leads by example.
He understands that people perform at their best when supported both professionally and personally, creating a culture of trust and respect throughout the organisation. Despite his achievements, Stuart remains remarkably humble. He actively avoids the spotlight and prefers to celebrate the successes of colleagues and teams.
His greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others thrive and witnessing the positive impact Oldham Active has on communities.
For more than 25 years, he has dedicated his career to improving lives, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others. He has transformed organisations, developed future leaders, improved the health and wellbeing of thousands of residents and helped shape the future of community leisure and wellbeing services both regionally and nationally.
