We are excited to announce that Sarah Watts, CEO at Alliance Leisure, is a finalist for the Outstanding Leadership Award in this year’s ukactive Awards.

Sarah was nominated and put forward by her team after leading the company since 1999 when she originally formed the company to invest in and develop leisure facilities.  Over the past 23 years Alliance has invested over £250m in leisure infrastructure and project managed nearly 200 leisure developments.  The company is also a finalists in the Supplier of the Year category.

As an SME working almost exclusively in the public leisure sector, Sarah’s goal has always been to ensure that the business adds value to those that we serve whilst treating our valued and expert supply chain with the respect they deserve.  Her continued ambition is to develop high quality public leisure that contributes to social and health benefits in local communities.   

During the pandemic Sarah’s objective of “survive and thrive” has been a significant focus. Firstly, survive as a business, preserve the team, and support those around her including clients, partners and supply chain. Beyond this to understand the effect on market conditions to help the business thrive and play a tangible role in both encouraging growth, confidence and investment in the sector.

Leading by example, a beacon for positivity and a tiller for pragmatism, Sarah’s primary influence on the business of Alliance is the importance she places on the team. Energising the business for over 20 years her enthusiasm never wanes and this passion has seen unprecedented growth, exemplified most recently by the team securing the next iteration of the UK Leisure Framework, placing Alliance at the heart of leisure sector infrastructure growth and operator support for this important period emerging from a pandemic.

Show your support for Sarah and cast your vote at https://www.ukactive.com/ukactive-awards-2022-stage-2-public-vote/