Head of health and wellbeing development at UK Active, Kenny Butler, has announced he is moving on after 11 years at the UK trade association.

“After 11 years, it's time to bid farewell to UK Active,” he said. “My health and wellbeing role has evolved significantly, as has the integration of healthcare within community gyms and pools, and I'm incredibly proud of that progress. A new chapter begins as I transition back into clinical practice and I'm open to taking on other opportunities.”

During his time at UK Active, Butler has represented the fitness industry at HM Treasury; has led the implementation of the nationwide Musculoskeletal Physical Activity Hub network within gyms, pools, and leisure centres; collaborated with the UK's Chief Medical Officer to organise a framework to tackle physical inactivity under the new health mission and developed a digital-health innovation to enhance the reach, uptake, and effectiveness of exercise referral initiatives.

“I’m proud of the social impact the sector has made in collaboration with healthcare, and on its own, though there is so much more to be done,” he said.

“By reducing silo working, enhancing collaboration with healthcare, fostering digital innovation, and investing in a comprehensive repository of sector-based healthcare services, the sector can achieve true integration and set an example for other countries.”