Date posted 27 Jun 2018
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Kensington Leisure Centre scooped two leading awards at the inaugural ukactive Awards at a Gala Dinner in Manchester on 21 June, as part of the three-day Active Uprising event.

Oliver Stacey, General Manager at Kensington Leisure Centre, was handed the prestigious Outstanding Leader of the Year Award. The award was in recognition of Oliver’s inspirational leadership to a team that has genuinely and sensitively stood proud, shoulder to shoulder with the local community over the past year.

Typically won by CEO’s, Board Director’s and senior level individuals, the award was judged on creativity, commitment and sheer determination to reverse the tide of physical inactivity, turning policy into action and action into results, both for today and in the years ahead.

The leisure centre in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was also handed the Regional Centre of the Year award, being named as the leading leisure facility in London. The centre was recognised for its outstanding facilities – including a programme of over 70 activities per week and facilitates in excess of 50,000 visits per month. The award also reflects the spirit of a team that supported its local community in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which occurred less than 100 yards from the centre’s doors.

Kensington Leisure Centre coming out on top in the region on the rigorous customer insight surveys, as well as the mystery shop, mystery calls and a digital review from a panel of experts.

Oliver Stacey, who picked up both awards at the event, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and honoured to have picked up two awards at this prestigious event.

“The team and I at Kensington Leisure Centre have worked tirelessly to provide the best possible service for the local community. This award really means a lot and we aim to ensure our service will only continue to get better going forward.”

The awards night attracted more than 800 people and was co-hosted by ukactive chair Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and physical activity expert Greg Whyte.

"The competition was particularly fierce this year – the first ukactive Awards in their new format," Grey-Thompson said.

“It was incredible to listen to the stories from our finalists – their passion for physical activity is clearly evident. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all those doing more to get more people active – you really are leading this movement.”