Friends from the leisure industry have been paying tribute to editor and lobbyist Jonathan Ives who has passed away, highlighting his wit and dedication to the sector.

Responsible for communications at one of CIMSPA’s predecessors, The Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) and for editing its journal, The Leisure Manager, Ives went on to set up and run independent digital magazine The Leisure Review, which was known for its incisive editorials.

Martyn Allison, honorary member of CLOA, was a friend of Ives' and frequent contributor to The Leisure Review. He says Ives was widely regarded as a key player in the development of the sport and leisure sector: “He was the driving force behind some great conferences, initially for ILAM, then later we created our own Sports Development professional body and our own annual conference in Nottingham< " he says.

“Jonny was an ally to those of us keen to develop ILAM and how it operated. Working with Gordon Bates we adapted a governance process so we could actually deliver the changes set out in a ‘Derby Declaration’ which Jonathan had carefully helped craft and publish. This process in time helped contribute to the bringing together of three professional bodies into IMSPA which became CIMSPA*. He remained a rebel and gave other rebels a voice.”

Another good friend, Duncan Wood-Allum, founder and MD of SLC, says: “Jonny brought a kinship to ILAM and made members feel truly valued. As editor of The Leisure Manager he gave many of us our first opportunity to write articles and contribute to debates of the time.

“No one valued the power of our sector for positive social change more than Jonny. His passion, beliefs and values were his foundations. Through his work, our sector’s common philosophy evolved. He would convene seminars and think tanks. His ability to involve and engage thought leaders and fellow disruptors was legendary. This was a man who cared about what we as a public sector did – making ordinary people’s lives better through culture, leisure and wellbeing.

“Kind, funny and engaging, what I loved most about him was his utter disregard for the establishment and his ability to call out unfairness, inequalities and abuse of power. What was even more impressive was that he could express this in words so beautifully.

“He was a champion of active wellbeing long before it became mainstream and his championing of our parks, open spaces, pools, community sports facilities, libraries and cultural facilities will resonate for decades to come.”

Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, said: “He was a brilliant man with an exceptional mind and wit.”

Alistair Robertson, chair of Community Leisure UK Scotland says: “Having worked with him at ILAM I got to see close up his passion and commitment, not to forget a wicked sense of humour. For me, he takes his place alongside those who cared and wanted to make a difference. He was someone who made an impact, although his modesty would not allow any acceptance of recognition.”

Former colleague, Steve Bradley, says: “He was a brilliant wordsmith and used his skills to ask questions others were struggling to ask.”

Liz Terry, editor of HCM said: Jonny was a powerful force at a time when representation of the public sector was in turmoil with rival associations mulishly refusing to merge and represent effectively. He played a valuable role in bringing thought leaders together to contribute to the positive conversations and lobbying that led us to the formation of CIMSPA and the calmer waters we know today.

"Jonny marched to the beat of his own drum, famously basing himself at the Bodleian Library in Oxford where he did much of his thinking and writing.

"As Alistair says, he was a modest man and so it's only fitting that we should be remembering him, so his contribution is not lost, as there are few records of his work and even photos of him are almost non-existent. Thank you Jonny."

Ives was married to Sarah and together they had a daughter, Eleanor. Latterly he channeled his love of cycling into a new business, trained as a cycling mechanic and launched Quarry Cycle Services a mobile bike servicing company.

UK SECTOR BACKGROUND

*CIMSPA was formed by the merger of the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and the Institute for Sport, Parks, and Leisure (ISPAL).

ISRM was created in 1993 by the merger and evolution of a number of other organisations:

The Association of Baths Superintendents, formed in 1921, which became the National Association of Bath Superintendents in 1931.

The Institute of Baths Management, which was founded in 1962 to become the central organisation for those employed in baths.

The Institute of Baths and Recreation Management which was was formed in 1979 as a national professional body and educational charity.

Formed in 2008, ISPAL was created through the amalgamation of ILAM (Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management) and the National Association of Sports Development.

ILAM itself had been formed through the amalgamation of the Institute of Parks and Recreation Administration, Institute of Municipal Entertainment, the Association of Recreation Managers and the Association of Playing Field Officers.

The Institute of Parks and Recreation Administration (IPRA), had been formed in 1926 to represent parks, ground maintenance and horticultural industries.

The Institute of Municipal Entertainment was formed in 1947, with a membership predominantly in seaside resorts councils, particularly with those that had theatres and entertainment centres.

The Industrial Sports Club Secretaries Association was established in 1956 – this became the Recreation Managers Association in 1969 and later the Association of Recreation Managers (ARM).

The Association of Playing Field Officers was founded in 1971 with a membership spanning playing field officers to education authorities.