New strategic business partners for GM Active

GM Active, a collective of 12 leisure and community organisations from all over Greater Manchester, has announced alliances with five new strategic business partners, who are joining the organisation’s three existing business collaborators. Strategic business partners are recruited for the value they bring to GM Active and its member organisations, as well as their commitment to helping the collective achieve its vision – to help people across Greater Manchester live healthy, happy, and longer lives.

The five new recruits are: n Gladstone Software – providers of cloud-based leisure management software to leisure centres, universities and health clubs. n Innerva – suppliers of powerassisted technology which provide a wellbeing solution for older adults, people with long term health conditions and difficult to reach communities. n Reach Wellness – specialists in innovative niche products to supplement standard fitness equipment. n The Great Outdoor Gym Company – creators and activators of outdoor fitness and activity spaces. n Berkeley Insurance Group – one of the UK’s largest privately-owned chartered insurance brokers.

Jon Keating, GM Active’s head of business operations, said: “Each business partner has its own niche role to play in our collective vision and mission.

“We are delighted to welcome them aboard and look forward to working with them so we can mutually benefit from the knowledge and expertise they bring to the GM Active cause.

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to our existing strategic business partners, Future Fit, Cornerstone Design and Marketing and Technogym, for extending their partnerships with us.”

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Future Fit, marketing specialists

Cornerstone DM and fitness industry innovators Technogym have been strategic business partners since the scheme launched in 2022. They have all agreed to remain in place for the foreseeable future.

The GM Active collective of local authority leisure operators with a coalition of staff totalling 3,500 is responsible for 99 wellness and sports facilities across Greater Manchester, with a combined reach of more than 20 million visits every year.

It is currently in the midst of an ambitious change programme aiming to change how local leisure centres, swimming pools, fitness facilities and services are perceived and used, putting a greater emphasis on health and wellbeing instead of being purely focused on fitness.

Called the Pivot to Active Wellbeing it involves all 10 local authorities and their leisure operators alongside GreaterSport, Sport England and other connected partners.

Jon added: “We’re working with our partners to transform public sector leisure with a holistic approach that changes culture, systems, policies and practice.