The winners of the ukactive Awards 2025 have been announced at the ICC in Birmingham following a night celebrating the incredible achievements and vital role of the UK’s physical activity sector.
The Awards showcase the best of the industry, with businesses of all sizes and types coming together to celebrate the organisations, individuals and teams driving innovation and impact across the physical activity sector.
The Awards were proudly supported by headline sponsor, Swimming Teachers Association (STA) and the evening was hosted by former Olympian and renowned sport scientist, Professor Greg Whyte OBE, and award-winning fitness author, presenter, PT and advocate for women in fitness, Laura Hoggins.
The pair presented trophies to a fantastic range of operators, suppliers and individuals who were shortlisted across 22 awards. The full list of winners is available below.
This year, following an industry review, three new award categories were introduced for the coveted Club/Centre of the Year, to acknowledge the different operator types within the sector.
Salisbury Health & Fitness Club, run by Legacy Leisure Limited, won the National Private Club/Centre of the Year Award; The Thames Club won the National Independent Club of the Year; and Freedom Leisure’s Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre won the Outstanding Public Club/Centre of the Year.
The night also saw Everyone Active win three Regional Club/Centre of the Year Awards, including East Anglia & Midlands, London, and South of England.
Personal success was also celebrated as Sarah Watts, Founder & CEO of Alliance Leisure, was handed the highly respected Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award in celebration of her dedication to the industry which has seen her continuously champion for accessibility, and the pioneering role she has played in transforming community health facilities that support the overall growth and improvement of the sector and the communities it serves.
The Outstanding Individual Leadership Award went to Jo Talbot, Commercial Director at the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS). Jo was recognised for her expertise in swimming pool safety and for her research and insights into the prevention of drowning which are valued worldwide. The judges praised her standards, innovation and passion for the industry, and recognised her for having a direct life-saving impact.
Arlene McMinn, Health Intervention Officer at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, took home the Physical Activity Hero Award, in recognition for her resilience, compassion and commitment to making a difference to people’s lives. Arlene runs a series of inclusive health programmes which help build confidence, connection and community.
Brio Leisure and Sandwell Leisure Trust each took home two awards on the night, with Brio Leisure scooping the Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award after the judges recognised its consistently high-scoring submissions, as well as the Education Programme of the Year Award for its commitment to creating opportunities for young people and its dedication to training, upskilling and building community engagement.
Sandwell Leisure Trust was recognised for its clear vision for transformation and impact, picking up the Digital Transformation Award. Its senior leadership team were also the proud winners of the industry vote for the Outstanding Leadership Team Award, which recognised their ability to overcome significant barriers while always putting community at the heart of what they do.
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd won the Marketing Campaign Award for its Olympics Campaign which worked to engage people who would not otherwise have entered a gym and saw incredible success in targeting this audience.
Endurance Zone secured the Supplier of the Year Award, with the judging panel praising its creation of products that align with ukactive’s mission and ongoing commitment to promoting physical activity.
This year’s ukactive Awards saw nominations from across the breadth of the sector, with the judges commending the remarkable quality and achievement demonstrated by every finalist.
Each entrant underwent an independent assessment by Proinsight, which this year included an additional layer of external judging. The process was designed to select the best in each category across hundreds of entrants, with the judges, and the judging process, providing valuable feedback to all applications to help with future improvements.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Huge congratulations to the winners of the ukactive Awards 2025.
“These awards shine a light on the tireless work that takes place in our organisations and facilities across the UK to help people and communities access the benefits of physical activity.
“Every story from our Awards highlights the positive change that our sector brings to the health and happiness of our nation.
“Thank you to all of the entrants, winners and our sponsors for celebrating the very best of the sector.”
Ali Beckman, President of the STA, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s ukactive Award winners – and to every 2025 finalist who reached the final stage. The passion, creativity and leadership shown across all categories continues to drive the physical activity sector forward, setting new standards of excellence and inspiring positive change throughout the industry.
“As headline sponsors for the third consecutive year, STA is immensely proud to play a part in honouring these remarkable achievements. As a national charity dedicated to the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and promoting physical activity for all, we share ukactive’s commitment to championing excellence and celebrating those making a real difference in communities across the UK.
“The ukactive Awards are a true celebration of innovation, collaboration and commitment – and we’re honoured to stand alongside so many organisations who are helping to shape a healthier, more active nation. Congratulations once again to all the deserving winners.”
The ukactive Awards 2025 winners:
National Private Club / Centre of the Year
Salisbury Health & Fitness Club – Legacy Leisure Limited
National Independent Club / Centre of the Year
The Thames Club
Regional Public Club / Centre of the Year
Wales & Northern Ireland
Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre – Freedom Leisure
Scotland
Xcite Linlithgow – West Lothian Leisure
North of England
GLL – York Leisure Centre
East Anglia & Midlands
Everyone Active – Meadowside Leisure Centre
London
Everyone Active – Flitwick Leisure Centre
South of England
Everyone Active – Winchester Sport & Leisure Park
Supplier of the Year
Endurance Zone
Build, Design or Refurbishment of the Year
Roberts Limbrick & Alliance Leisure – Warsop Health Hub
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Lex Leisure CIC
Healthy Communities Award
Pendle Leisure Trust
Organisation Innovation Award
West Lothian Leisure
Marketing Campaign Award
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, The Olympics Campaign
Digital Transformation Award
Sandwell Leisure Trust
Education Programme of the Year
Brio Leisure
Physical Activity Hero Award
Arlene McMinn, Health Intervention Officer – Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Outstanding Individual Leadership Award
Jo Talbot, Commercial Director – Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)
Outstanding Leadership Award
Sandwell Leisure Trust Leadership Team
The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award
Sarah Watts, CEO – Alliance Leisure
Outstanding Public Club / Centre of the Year
Chirk Leisure & Activity Centre – Freedom Leisure
Outstanding Organisation of the Year
Brio Leisure
