press release: GLL
Gold company profile | GLL
PRESS RELEASE
Better leisure centres and gyms receive Which? Recommended provider status
23 May 2024
GLL was one of only three UK leisure businesses to achieve the endorsement for the current year / GLL / Which?
Following a survey of Better customers, the UK’s largest operator of municipal leisure facilities was one of only three UK leisure businesses to achieve the endorsement for the current year.
Customer feedback cited the ‘good value membership’ which is helped by Better’s vast range of membership options as well as the possibility of using either just your local centre, centres in your area or centres across the UK. Members also benefit from the wide range of health and fitness activities on offer from gyms to swimming pools, to tennis courts and studio classes.
Another attribute cited is Better’s charitable social enterprise status, meaning membership fees are partly reinvested back into the local communities in which it operates, along with the leisure facilities and services on offer.
The overall verdict from Which? Was that Better leisure centres and gyms provide a great option for those that may not want to only go to the gym, but explore different activities with good flexibility.
Joseph Rham, 'Customer & Communities Director' for Better said: “As a charitable social enterprise our customers and the communities in which we operate are at our heart. We are committed to increasing participation and tackling health inequalities by offering accessible and inclusive facilities that are welcoming to all.
“We are delighted by the Which? Endorsement, which highlights the commitment of our staff, the quality of the facilities we offer and our organisational values. Our customers are at the centre of everything we do and we will continue to work hard to build on what we have already achieved.”
More press releases and updates from GLL:
This week (17 June) saw charitable social enterprise GLL bring together invited guests from
across Parliament, local government, national sector bodies, cultural organisations, the
literary community and sports bodies at a celebration to mark the successful first year of
the GLL Literary Foundation.
GLL, the charitable social enterprise operating Libraries and Leisure Centres across the UK,
has today (9 June 2026) announced that it will be supporting the National Year of Reading as
a major campaign partner alongside national organisations, including BBC Sport, Audible, DC
Thomson and Tesco.
School assemblies and water safety messages as part of swim lessons. The UK's largest
public pools and swim school operator, GLL, is providing timely activities during Drowning
Prevention Week (13-20 June 2026) to raise awareness of water safety ahead of kids breaking
up for the summer holidays.
Picture caption (left to right): At Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's Copper Box Arena - GSF
Legacy Amabassador Ellie Simmonds OBE, GSF Programme's Louise Smith & Tony Wallace, and GSF
2026 Cohort athletes Autumn Eke, Sidonie Cleave, Mohammed Belbouab,
11 new GLL venues added this April are a 'win:win' Pitch booking solutions company
PlayFootball have added a further 11 GLL venues which can now be conveniently hired online
on their platform - keeping more local communities across the UK active, with mor
GLL: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
Work has started on the £68.7 million refurbishment of the historic Kings Hall Leisure Centre in
Hackney, with a planned reopening in early 2029.
Charitable social enterprise, GLL has launched an enhanced digital health and wellbeing
platform on its Better_uk App, called Live Better.
GLL: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Talking point: Everyone's talking about ... Generation Alpha
The fitness industry has Gen Z pinned as a sober-curious, wellness-seeking, gym-loving bunch, but now
there are baffling new kids on the block. How do we
engage with Gen Alpha? asks Kath Hudson
Environment: Cutting carbon
With skillful management and investment, it’s possible
to cut running costs in swimming pools, while also
reducing their carbon footprint, as Abi Harris reports
GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
London,
SE18 6SX,
UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive
HCM SUMMIT
Watch Peter Bundey, CEO, GLL, speak at HCM Summit 2025
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
Key customers
Companies we work with include:
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our 2026 strategies and roadmap are
already well-shaped and are based on
our Five-Year Plan, launched in 2024.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier:
