ukactive is calling on existing members to apply for its newly-formed Membership Council as the physical activity sector body continues to restructure following its governance review.

Having last week revealed the shortlist of candidates for the ukactive Board of Directors, the organisation has now begun the process of establishing a new Membership Council. The reforms come following a 12-month consultation with ukactive members and partners designed to ensure a governance structure that is fit for purpose and in line with best practice recommended by key agencies such as Sport England.

The Membership Council, to be chaired by outgoing CEO David Stalker, will be the formal voice of the membership base in ukactive governance and take on topical sector challenges, such as the ongoing issues relating to skills and workforce development.

“ukactive currently has over 3,500 members and the Membership Council is being set up to provide a powerful voice between our Board and our members,” said ukactive executive director Steven Ward.

“The Membership Council is being set up based on the recommendations of an independent review into our governance by Portas, which concluded at the back end of last year. It will be a high impact body and therefore we are looking for some really strong, sector-leaders to put themselves forward for election.”

The application window for members wishing to put themselves forward for a position on the Membership Council will close on Friday 15 May. Members are being sought to represent nine categories: Private Fitness Multi Site, Private Fitness Independent, Local Authority Leisure Trust, Local Authority Management Contractor, Local Authority Direct Service Organisation, Educational Facility, Outdoor Activity Provider, Children’s Activity Provider, and Wider Activity Provider.

Applications for the Membership Council will not be accepted from sector suppliers. Suppliers will have a formal voice via the Forum for Exercise & Equipment Suppliers (FEES), which will directly feed into the Membership Council.

Members are being encouraged to apply for a position on the Membership Council should they meet the following criteria.

• They are a senior executive within their organisation

• They have sufficient experience within the sector

• They can demonstrate that they have an appropriate network and will be equipped to speak on behalf of their sub-sector

• They can demonstrate that they are a strong advocate for ukactive’s work and have been sufficiently engaged with the organisation through attendance at key events and discussions

The application form is available via the ukactive website. To apply or find out more, click here.