YMCA Awards has appointed Craig Potter head of commercial as the awarding organisation aims to continue its transformation under director Rob May.

YMCA Awards, (formerly CYQ) has undergone a significant period of change in the year since May arrived from global education giants City & Guilds, with renewed focus placed on ensuring customers, digital content and products are at the heart of the fitness charity.

The recruitment of Potter from Cirrus e-Learning forms part of the ongoing process and he has been tasked with driving forward the charity’s commercial plans.

“Craig Potter has vast experience in managing complex customers and multi-channel marketing, but he is also passionate about learning technology and will have a big input into our direction of travel,” said May.

The awards industry is facing significant upheaval from funding cuts, a new qualifications framework and ongoing challenges that technology presents, but both May and Potter see this as an opportunity for YMCA Awards to focus on increasing engagement through reaching learners in new ways.

Potter added: “One of the reasons I joined YMCA Awards was because of its focus on the future of learning and certification.

“Our investment in technology has already led to a prestigious industry award for innovation, and many customers I speak with are really excited about blending digital tools into their training delivery.”