GLL – one of the UK's first and now largest leisure trust and charitable social enterprise – is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

As the leading provider of sport and leisure facilities in the UK, GLL manages more than 145 facilities with 450,000 members and 6,000 staff. There are 45 million visits to GLL run centres each year, with 70,000 pupils attending swimming classes each week.

Established as an employee-owned 'spin out' by Greenwich Council in 1993, the social enterprise model enables GLL to grow and diversify, while remaining true to its community-focused ethos – making life better for its customers through the services it offers.

Today, GLL runs libraries, parks, adventure playgrounds and sports development programmes. It has invested in affordable health and beauty services through Spa London, alongside a growing chain of budget gyms.

GLL will also be operating two flagship venues on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – the Copper Box Arena and Aquatic Centre.

GLL's 20th anniversary coincides with the reopening of the Copper Box in July as a 7,000 capacity entertainment and sporting venue.

GLL has also set up the GLL Sport Foundation – a leading independent supporter of young sports talent in the UK – funding more than 2,000 athletes across 60 different sports.

Mark Sesnan, GLL managing director said: "We are as excited about the future today as we were back in 1993. GLL will continue to grow across London and beyond, but whatever we do we will always remain true to our social enterprise, cooperative and charitable roots.

"We're an ethical business that trades with a social purpose and our staff invest time, energy and effort into helping make life better for our customers."