EMD UK, the National Governing Body for group exercise, has appointed fitness industry veteran Nigel Wallace to the position of Chair.
Nigel, who replaces the outgoing Chair Innes Milne, will play a key role in driving EMD UK’s plans to increase participation in group exercise by supporting the workforce and raising educational and professional standards of the sector.
Nigel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Executive Director of the Fitness Industry Association (now ukactive). He is also currently a Non-Executive Director at BUCS, the governing body for university sport and sits on the professional development board at CIMSPA.
Nigel, who also spent eight years as a Director of Lifetime Training, said: “I’m excited to have been appointed as Chair of EMD UK at such a key time for the organisation. I am passionate about EMD UK’s objectives to increase impact and recognition for the hard-working instructors that play such a key role in the growth of our sector.
“There’s a lot to be done to take the next steps in collaborating across the sector, giving group exercise a powerful voice and heightening everyone’s focus upon the quality of the experience. In the end it is the ‘experience’ that will determine continued growth in participation.
“We have thousands of outstanding instructors and that needs recognising and mobilising as part of a bigger goal. I’m looking forward to helping drive that change.”
Ross Perriam, Chief Executive of EMD UK, added: “Appointing someone with Nigel’s expertise as Chair of EMD UK is fantastic news for our organisation and the wider fitness sector. We have one of the most diverse and skilled boards in the industry and we’re delighted to welcome Nigel to the team. He will play an important role helping us to drive recognition, not just for the work that we do, but for group exercise instructors and brands working in the sector.
“We want to thank Innes for her contribution as Chair over the last decade, a time that has seen some major landmarks for EMD UK.”
According to Sport England’s most recent Active Lives survey, group exercise attracts over 6.5 million weekly participants and is one of the few sports or activities that is growing in popularity. For more information about EMD UK and the support it offers, visit www.emduk.org
