More than 850 leaders from across the sector convened at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre last night (8 October), for the UK Active Awards 2026 prize giving.
A record 190 entries were assessed by experts from within and outside the sector, with the process overseen by independent judging partner, Proinsight. The evening was hosted by fitness coach, author and presenter Laura Hoggins, with former professional rugby player and fitness entrepreneur Ben Gotting.
Durham County Council was a big winner – after being nominated for seven awards, the local authority went home with four: the Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award; the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award; the Transformational Innovation Award and the Marketing Campaign Award.
The council was praised for embedding innovation and inclusion within its culture, demonstrating the role leisure centres play in supporting people of all ages to live healthier, happier and better-connected lives.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, says: “We are incredibly proud to have won these awards. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, investment and community-driven initiatives that support healthier, more active lifestyles across County Durham.
“Our success at these awards is testament to the incredible work of our teams, which deliver high-quality facilities and programmes that make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of residents. We’re thrilled that our work to bring all our leisure services together under the Thrive brand has been recognised on the national stage.”
GLL also won three awards. Simon Sen, GLL’s Operations Director, said: “We are delighted that we have achieved three wins this year and could not be more proud of the impact GLL’s programmes and people are having in strengthening the wider UK leisure sector.”
A Workplace Culture & Initiative Award was introduced this year and went to CitySport – City St George’s, University of London for putting people, wellbeing and activity at the heart of its workplace culture.
This year’s Physical Activity Hero was Adam Roberts, healthy communities manager at 1Life Management Solutions Limited, who was praised for his dedication to creating opportunities for people who might otherwise face barriers to being active.
The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award was jointly presented to two trailblazers from Everyone Active in recognition of their lasting contributions to the sector. Former managing director David Bibby was chosen for his exceptional leadership, while founder and former chief executive, Stephen Hulme – who sadly passed away last year – was recognised for dedicating his career to championing the power of physical activity to transform lives.
Everyone Active managing director, Duncan Jefford, said: “It’s a huge honour to win at the UK Active Awards and we’re delighted to see the hard work and commitment of our colleagues has been recognised with four award wins.
“Each and every one of our 16,000-strong workforce has played a part in helping us achieve these accolades, alongside the continued support of our brilliant local authority partners.
“It was also fantastic to see David Bibby and Stephen Hulme recognised for their leadership at Everyone Active and lasting contributions to the industry through The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award.
“We’re proud to be a leader in the industry and will continue to drive forward our ambition to support the health, wellbeing and physical activity of people in local communities.”
David Stalker, chair of UK Active, says: “Huge congratulations to the winners of the UK Active Awards 2026. The record number of entries we saw this year shows the incredible depth of talent within our sector and the amazing role our sector is playing in every corner of the UK.
“From breaking down barriers and creating inclusive environments, to raising standards and constantly innovating, our winners’ stories typify the value of physical activity in society today.”
For the fourth consecutive year, the headline sponsor was the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) with further sponsorship from Technogym, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength, BRP Systems, Red Bull, MyFitnessPal, NCFE/Active IQ, Matrix and P81.
Full list of UK Active Awards 2026 winners:
National Private Club/Centre of the Year: Snap Fitness Pontyclun
National Independent Club/Centre of the Year: Branston Golf & Country Club
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, Northern Ireland & Wales: GLL – Olympia Leisure Centre & Spa
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, Scotland: West Lothian Leisure – Xcite Linlithgow
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, North of England: Parkwood Leisure – Crosby Leisure Centre
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, Midlands & East Anglia: Everyone Active – Moulton Leisure Centre
Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, London: GLL – Waltham Forest
Feel Good Centre Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year, South of England: GLL – Rivermead Leisure Centre
Supplier of the Year: Keepme Antares
Build, Design or Refurbishment of the Year: Tees Active
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award: Durham County Council
Healthy Communities Award: Everyone Active – Dacorum Community Programme
Transformational Innovation Award: Durham County Council
Marketing Campaign Award: Durham County Council
Workplace Culture & Initiative Award: CitySport – City St George’s, University of London
Education Programme of the Year: Achieve More Training
Physical Activity Hero Award: Adam Roberts, Healthy Communities Manager at 1Life Management Solutions
Outstanding Individual Leadership Award: Oliver Deen – Operations Director, Jubilee Hall Trust
Outstanding Leadership Team Award: My Healthy Way Leadership Team (Parkwood Leisure)
Outstanding Public Club/Centre of the Year: Everyone Active – Moulton Leisure Centre
Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award: Durham County Council
The Jan Spaticchia Special Recognition Award: Stephen Hulme, founder and former chief executive of Everyone Active and David Bibby, former managing director of Everyone Active
