press release: GLL
Gold company profile | GLL
PRESS RELEASE
Strength of GLL's partnerships across leisure, libraries and culture celebrated at House of Lords
18 Jun 2026
GLL CEO Peter Bundey (left) and CEO Designate and Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation Phil Donnay (centre) with GLL Literary Foundation authors. / 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.
For more than 30 years, GLL has put collaboration and shared purpose at the heart of its leisure, libraries and cultural offer – creating huge impact that is shared by the local authorities, charities, social enterprises and national governing bodies it works with to create ‘Stronger Partnerships, Stronger Communities’.
Taking inspiration from its 18-year-old GLL Sport Foundation - the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK - in 2025 GLL launched the GLL Literary Foundation to support authors, inspire readers and champion public libraries in response to unprecedented challenges.
It brings together writers, librarians and communities from across Bromley, Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth, areas where GLL operates public libraries under its ‘Better’ brand.
The Foundation’s success is a reminder of the vital role that libraries play in the UK’s communities. More than places to borrow books, they’re spaces to connect, grow and access opportunities that can change lives.
An assembled audience of 160 at the House of Lords heard about the wider impact the GLL Literary Foundation is making in local communities across the UK - with 42 children's authors now supported.
Authors have delivered more than 60 events across libraries, schools and community venues, engaging over 3,000 children and more than 500 adults in reading activity - while boosting new memberships and book borrowing.
Writers receive a £750 bursary alongside in-kind professional development support valued at up to £4,000, gaining skills in business and marketing, opportunities with booksellers and increased visibility for their work.
Sponsor The Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham OM DBE DL introduced the House of Lords event from the Cholmondeley Room and welcomed the GLF's authors, who have been helping children discover the enjoyment of reading and develop confidence as readers.
Guests heard how GLL’s 'Stronger Partnerships, Stronger Communities' remit helps create opportunities and bridge inequality gaps.
Rebecca Gediking, GLL library services director, said: "The GLL Literary Foundation demonstrates the impact that strong partnerships can have in supporting authors, inspiring children and strengthening communities. By bringing together libraries, schools, writers and local organisations, we are helping to create opportunities that encourage reading for pleasure while championing the vital role public libraries play in people’s lives.”
Speaking at the event, Philip Donnay, chief executive designate of GLL and Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation, added: "Supporting children's literacy and helping writers build sustainable careers presents even more opportunities for GLL to widen our societal impact beyond that already seen across our national leisure offer.
“Through our collaboration with our local authorities, charities, social enterprises and national governing bodies, we’re helping to create stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities and lasting social value.”
Joseph Coelho OBE, Patron of the GLL Literary Foundation, said: "The GLL Literary Foundation is a wonderful initiative creating much needed pathways into publishing giving new authors support during those key first steps. Libraries make a natural home for such a project forging links not just between new authors and the industry but also authors, readers and the community at large."
Evaluation from the programme's first year shows strong impact for children, authors and libraries. 81% of children said they were more likely to visit their local library after attending an event, 79% said they felt more motivated to read, 100% of authors said they felt supported and well prepared and 88% reported increased visibility, opportunities or book sales through the programme.
As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, the expanded GLL Literary Foundation, now in its second year, will continue building partnerships with schools, publishers, festivals and community organisations to inspire reading for pleasure and demonstrate the vital role public libraries play in the UK’s cultural life.
For further information visit: www.better.org.uk/library/gll-literary-foundation
More press releases and updates from GLL:
Heralding the launch of the Commonwealth Games Last weekend’s ‘Team England National Sports
Weekend’ (18 and 19 July) held at ‘Better’ leisure centres across the UK was a ‘hit’, with
customers of all ages arriving in their legions to try out a selection o
As the Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026, the GLL Sport
Foundation (GSF) is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of 115 past and present
supported athletes who have been selected to compete on one of the biggest stages in
Commonwealth sport.
Charitable social enterprise and leisure operator GLL has been appointed to manage two
historic leisure facilities; Wycombe Rye Lido in Buckinghamshire and Newcastle City Baths,
with operations transferring to the organisation on 1 July 2026.
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.
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Better colleagues, customers and councillors from the London Borough of Richmond came
together yesterday for the unveiling of new, upgraded facilities at the Pools on the Park
leisure centre.
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.
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With skillful management and investment, it’s possible
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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
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