The health and fitness industry’s finest came together in their hundreds last night (28 June) to recognise the achievements of their peers, as the 2017 Flame Awards were handed out in Telford.

For a second year running, Everyone Active was named Leisure Centre Operator of the Year, seeing off competition from Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), Parkwood Leisure, SIV and Places for People.

The Club Company flew the flag for the premium end of the market, triumphing over budget operator Xercise4Less to take home the Health Club of the Year award.

New ground was broken at this year’s awards as the UK arm of the global mass running movement Parkrun scooped the Physical Activity Campaign of the Year award, with judges hailing it a “truly incredible initiative”.

The 15 Flame Awards categories recognise facilities, suppliers, operators, educational institutes, health practitioners and large corporations that have demonstrated exceptional standards. The winners were chosen from hundreds of entrants and after months of rigorous assessment.

ukactive CEO Steven Ward said: “Congratulations to the winners, but also to the other finalists, who were of an exceptional standard and only further prove the depth of quality we have in this sector.”

The Flame Awards came at the end of two days of educational conferences. Highlights of the Flame Conference (28 June) included a Q&A session with Olympian Jason Kenny, who spoke at length about the habits and decisions that played a vital role in his cycling success; and a speech by former Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Maxine De Brunner, in which attendees were encouraged to embrace change in their companies to meet the future challenges facing the sector.

Professor Luis Huete from IESE Business School also shared his thoughts on how fitness businesses can create loyal customers by maximising the perceived value of their products; while technology expert Jonathan MacDonald emphasised the importance of identifying the true motivations of inactive individuals in order to engage them in physical activity and keep them engaged.

This year’s event also saw the introduction of the Ignite conference (27 June) – a day-long event designed to help operational, sales and team managers acquire the tools needed to become future leaders.

The full list of winners

Shaping Young Lives – Fit for Sport

Healthy Partnerships – Active Nation UK

Leisure Centre of the Year (Streamline) – Houldsworth Village, Life Leisure

Leisure Centre of the Year (Multi-use) – Stratford Leisure Centre, Everyone Active

Outstanding Achievement, Leisure Centre of the Year (Multi-use) – Maltby Leisure Centre, Places for People Leisure

Physical Activity Campaign of the Year – Parkrun UK

Spark of Innovation – 4Global

Health Club of the Year (Streamline) – Spirit Health Club Gloucester, Interstate Hotels Europe

Health Club of the Year (Multi-use) – Castle Royle Golf & Country Club, The Club Company

Active Workplace – Seven Stones

Spirit of Flame – Harley Hicks, GLL

Supplier of the Year – Active IQ

Outstanding Achievement – Supplier of the Year – Alliance Leisure

Health Club Operator of the Year – The Club Company

Leisure Centre Operator of the Year – Everyone Active