• Home
  • News & Blog
  • Record number gain chartered status in recognition of their excellence in the sport & physical activity sector
03/02/2025
Back to news

Record number gain chartered status in recognition of their excellence in the sport & physical activity sector

Having demonstrated true excellence, innovation and impact within their field, we’ve recently seen no less than 12 members gain various different chartered statuses.

Becoming a chartered member or fellow signifies a mark of distinction that confirms an individual meets the sector standards with qualifications, experience and expertise that underpin their multiple areas of discipline and outstanding competencies.

Having been assessed by our carefully curated eligibility criteria, these chartered professionals have a thorough understanding and are able to demonstrate their wide-ranging capabilities.

They are amongst the best that our sector has to offer, and as such have a track record of delivering positive outcomes within sport & physical activity.

Meet the latest incumbents to the ultimate professional status of chartered.

Simon Kirkland FCIMSPA (chartered) Simon Kirkland FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

Starting his career as a PE teacher in inner-city Birmingham, Simon played a key role in sports development in the West Midlands before working his way up to become CEO of England Basketball, where he oversaw the Outdoor Basketball Initiative.

In 2002, Simon founded Sport Structures where he now holds the role of Executive Chair, focusing on governance, equality, clubs, education and fostering gender balance in leadership. The company has delivered award-winning programmes, Sport England workshops, and international consultancy, including Saudi Arabia’s first girls’ PE strategy.

Follow Simon on LinkedIn

Clare Jeffries FCIMSPA (chartered) Clare Jeffries FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

Clare has worked within the education and training sector for over 22 years and has held a range of senior leadership positions including Head of Apprenticeships and Operations Director.

Having joined Portal Training in May 2016, Clare now has the role of Operations Director and Partner. In addition, she currently holds positions as WSA NED, an education workforce council committee member, and a CIMSPA Welsh Professional Development board member.

Follow Clare on LinkedIn

“I am over the moon to have been awarded with Chartered Status and would highly recommend this to leaders that work within the sector or whose work impacts upon it. This will help to prompt professionalism within the sector.”

Clare Jeffries FCIMSPA (chartered)

James Buckley FCIMSPA (chartered)James Buckley FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

James is the strategic lead for health and wellbeing across the Derby and Derbyshire integrated care system - Joined Up Care Derbyshire. Before joining the NHS in 2019 James held senior leadership roles within the fitness, wellbeing, sports, education and leisure industries, including the multi-site management of sector-leading health clubs and sports facilities.

Particularly passionate about equitable services that result in positive long term behaviour change, James has achieved national recognition in the education, health, and fitness sectors for services across physical activity and wellbeing.

James also sits on the Professional Development Board of CIMSPA.

Follow James on LinkedIn

Sue Ward FCIMSPA (chartered)Sue Ward FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

Sue has been active in the fitness and leisure industry for over 30 years, starting out as a level 2 instructor. Over time, Sue’s career and interests have diversified to include university lecturing, NGB governance work, commercial training, sports club management and various quality assurance roles.

Sue has an immense passion for the sector and still operates as a practitioner, as well as a CIC director, educator and governance lead.

Follow Sue on LinkedIn

“It’s sometimes easy to dismiss work as being “just what I do - nothing special”. But with the help of my assessor, I was able to identify multiple areas where I could truly say “yes I made a difference.”

Sue Ward FCIMSPA (chartered)

Oliver Hooper FCIMSPA (chartered) Oliver Hooper FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

Dr Oliver Hooper is a senior lecturer in physical education and youth sport at Loughborough University, and his research focuses on young people’s experiences within physical education and youth sport contexts, with a specific focus on the experiences of marginalised youth.

Oliver has received several awards for his work including the ‘Young Scholar Award’ for 2021 from the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP). He also supports coach education work for several national governing bodies, as well as working with CIMSPA around endorsements, quality assurance and chartered status.

Chartered Activity & Health Practitioner logoDavid Noble MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner

David is currently operating as a director at DN Training Academy, alongside lecturing at West College Scotland.

Having worked in the leisure industry for over two decades, David has gained vast levels of experience that he utilises to inspire and motivate others.

Follow David on LinkedIn

“To be able to use the experience I have acquired over the years to inspire and motivate others is an honour.

“I feel gaining Chartered Status is a great indication of the positive example I am trying to lead for all my students and colleagues, and I am excited to continue doing so.”

David Noble MCIMSPA (chartered)

Emily Newton MCIMSPA (chartered) Emily Newton MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner

Emily is a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, specialising in exercise prescription for long-term health conditions, and has led impactful local and international projects to enhance employability outcomes for students and professionals.

Having acquired multiple exercise specialist qualifications, Emily works at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre as Training and Education Co-Lead, working with clients regularly to stay current as a practitioner.

Follow Emily on LinkedIn

“Achieving Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner status has been a reflective journey, highlighting my 20-year impact as an educator and practitioner. This process has inspired me to continue advancing high-quality educational opportunities.”

Emily Newton MCIMSPA (chartered)

Hayley Mills 300 Jan25.jpgHayley Mills MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner

A senior lecturer in physical activity, sport and health at Sheffield Hallam University, Hayley has been an exercise specialist for 24 Years, working in a variety of community and clinical settings for both practice and research.

Hayley has developed and delivered innovative health and physical activity programmes with a variety of populations in Sheffield , Rotherham and nationally, including tier 2 & 3 adult and child obesity, specialist obesity summer camps for children, older people exercise programmes, phase III and IV cardiac rehabilitation, heart failure, stroke, pulmonary and cancer rehabilitation, exercise referral, MS and mental health programmes and research studies.

Follow Hayley on LinkedIn

Dr Athalie Redwood-Mills MCIMSPA (chartered)Dr Athalie Redwood-Mills MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner

Dr. Athalie Redwood-Mills has worked within the fitness industry for nearly 30 years, integrating clinical exercise into functional fitness for those with chronic diseases.

For the past 12 years she has owned a gym and in 2019 founded the FiiT for Life programme, creating tailored exercise referral programmes for individuals with long-term conditions like cancer and metabolic diseases. Collaborating with organisations like Macmillan Cancer, Athalie’s work spans amputee support, menopause, and cancer rehabilitation.

Follow Athalie on LinkedIn

Julie Gibson MCIMSPA (chartered) Julie Gibson MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Assessor

Having started her journey at Dyrons Leisure Centre in Newton Abbot, Julie is now working strategically with a variety of both public and private organisations.

Much of Julie’s time is now spent focusing on preparing the next generation to ensure our sector is in safe hands.

Julie became the first CIMSPA Chartered Assessor and also assesses candidates for CIMSPA Chartered Manager status.

Follow Julie on LinkedIn

Jack Garner FCIMSPA (chartered) Jack Garner FCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Senior Chartered Manager Fellow

Starting as a lifeguard at 16, Jack embraced the physical activity and sports sector, working as a duty manager, personal trainer, and swimming teacher while pursuing a degree at Loughborough University.

Inspired by the 2012 London Olympics, Jack transitioned from plans to teach PE to a career in leisure management, and by 22, Jack was a general manager in Rotherham, excelling in operations and community impact.

Joining Serco Leisure in 2017, Jack progressed to regional director in 2023, overseeing a portfolio of local authority and leisure contracts, and national centres supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Jack is also the chair of CIMSPA’s Nottinghamshire Skills Board, a member of the CIMSPA National Workforce Development Board and the UK Sport Elite Training Centre Forum.

Follow Jack on LinkedIn

John Gray MCIMSPA (chartered) John Gray MCIMSPA (chartered)

Pathway - Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner

Having worked in the sports, physical activity, and exercise industry for over 25 years, Dr John Gray has had numerous varying roles, from personal training for cancer rehabilitation to strength and conditioning for elite athletes.

As part of these roles, John has created physical activity clubs for disability participation, developed rural circuit training and kettlebell clubs, and implemented conditioning programmes for professional sports teams.

John holds various current positions as an exercise leader, teaching fellow, and researcher at the University of Leeds, alongside his private trainer work. All these roles are underpinned by a belief that physical activity experiences should be more than just ‘calorie and conditioning’ goals and exercise is an existential experience.

As a Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner, John likes to define wellbeing in a truly holistic manner.

Follow John on LinkedIn

Learn more about the different pathways to achieving chartered status

The Chartered Manager and Chartered Fellow categories are for management professionals in leadership roles within the sport and physical activity community.

Chartered Status for Managers

The Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner category is tailored towards exercise and physical activity practitioners who have a distinct health-based discipline and extensive experience.

Chartered Status for Activity Health Practitioners

Chartered High-Performance Coach status acknowledges the exceptional quality and elevated level of expertise in planning and delivering services within the high-performance environment.

Chartered status for High-performance Coach

Interested?

If you are interested in taking the next step in your career path and starting your journey towards the highest level of professional status in the sport and physical activity sector, register your interest via the enquiry form below.

Please note – places are limited, and we therefore recommend you register your interest as soon as possible for our next application window starting in February 2025.

Enquiry form

Our Chartered Membership Lead, George Sheldon, will then contact you to discuss your prospective application and guide you through your first steps to chartered success.

Got a question? Take a look at our frequently asked questions.

See chartered FAQs

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

CIMSPA’s work enhances the career opportunities and professional development of the workforce operating in sport, fitness, exercise, leisure, gyms, coaching, outdoor exercise, health and wellbeing. We achieve this through sector-wide engagement, membership, networking, events, directories and professional standards.

Become a member
Become a partner