press release: GLL
Gold company profile | GLL
PRESS RELEASE
GLL acquires York Stadium Management Company from York City Football Club
02 Oct 2023
Since its initial opening in early 2021, the LNER Community Stadium has hosted more than 200 fixtures / GLL
The two parties will continue their positive relationship at the LNER Community Stadium, with the football club focusing on football activities and York SMC focusing on delivering the best fan and customer experience possible.
Since its initial opening in early 2021, the LNER Community Stadium has hosted more than 200 fixtures and almost 400,000 tickets have been sold for those events. In addition to fixtures for York RLFC and York City Football Club, the stadium has also hosted matches for the Rugby League World Cup 2021, Rugby League Summer Bash, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Hull City as well as a wide range of community fixtures. Last month, plans were announced to host a number of fixtures for the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup in 2025.
GLL Chief Executive, Peter Bundey, stated “GLL’s ownership of York SMC, meets our core strategic philosophy in operating as a not-for-profit business. We are also keen that the York SMC reflects the community focus and ethos of the stadium and we will be working with York SMC colleagues and City of York Council on the longer term shape and strategy for the company”.
General Manager of York SMC, Martin Jesper, added “This is a really positive step for all the stadium users as it provides absolute clarity over the availability of funds to invest in the stadium’s infrastructure and ongoing operations. With immediate effect we are able to progress with a phased roll out of a new ticketing platform and set aside contingency funds to support the licensed clubs to deliver their consensual plans to create an improved stadium user experience, for example with the introduction of a new scoreboard and LED advertising boards.
“All the stadium’s stakeholders accept, recognise and understand that there have been a number of challenges from the outset, such as the capacity constraints and limitations of the incumbent ticket system, whilst the stadium’s use has evolved into far more than initial expectations. The opportunity now exists to build on recent internal restructure and to progress to provide the City of York with a stadium that showcases its true potential”.
More press releases and updates from GLL:
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
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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
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Last year, charitable social enterprise GLL embarked on a new partnership with The Felix
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Hackney, with a planned reopening in early 2029.
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platform on its Better_uk App, called Live Better.
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GLL
Address:
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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
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