EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise, has announced the appointment of Dan Rees as CEO, who will take up the role on 1 September.

He follows in the footsteps of Gill Cumming-Bell, who has led the organisation through a transformative period of growth, cementing its role as the unified voice for group exercise professionals across genres including yoga, Pilates and dance fitness.

Membership to EMD UK has grown tenfold in recent years to more than 19,500 group exercise professionals and has established the NGB as the largest and most influential body championing group exercise in the UK. It recently released a landmark report highlighting the sector's £5.3 billion annual contribution in social value to the UK. The report reinforces the finding that group exercise is not just a fitness trend but also makes a vital contribution to public health and community cohesion, as well as reducing NHS costs by more than £5 million a year.

With more than 25 years’ experience across the health, fitness and education sector – starting as an instructor and progressing to senior leadership and advisory positions at some of the UK’s leading education, awarding and community provision providers – Rees has a unique perspective, bridging the needs of exercise instructors and the wider demands of policy and education.

His career has spanned commercial, charitable and government-funded organisations and he has experience in scaling organisations, building commercial success and championing equal access to physical activity.

Rees said he is honoured to be appointed to the role: “Group exercise plays a vital role in addressing inactivity, supporting mental and physical health and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels they belong.

“EMD UK is a powerful advocacy for change, championing instructors, driving standards and increasing participation in group exercise across the UK. I am excited to build on this strong foundation, working closely with the team at EMD UK, Sport England, our members, stakeholders and partners to amplify the voice of group exercise nationally and to ensure the sector continues to thrive.”

Rees’ focus will be to further strengthen the organisation’s impact, supporting the current and future workforce, advocating for the role of group exercise in health and social policy, and ensuring that opportunities to move are more accessible to all communities.