Mark Sesnan, co-founder and CEO of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), has announced that he will be standing down as chief executive at the end of this year after 30 years.

Peter Bundey, who has worked for GLL for the last 25 years – most recently as chief executive designate – has been appointed by the board as Sesnan's successor.

Sesnan told HCM he will continue working for GLL as a part-time member of the chief officer group for at least the next two years.

“I'm confident Peter will effectively lead GLL through to its next stage of development – anchored around our new five-year plan – which is aimed at reinforcing and realising our ambitious mission, vision and values,” he said.

Sesnan founded the social enterprise in 1993 and over the last three decades it has grown into one of the UK’s largest operators of public leisure facilities. GLL manages over 300 leisure centres in partnership with more than 50 local councils and sporting bodies and has an annual turnover of nearly £300m. The centres support almost 60m visitors each year and provide 130,000 pupils with weekly swimming lessons.

In January 2022, Sesnan was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for his services to the leisure industry.

“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to lead GLL for the last 30 years, during which we have grown into the UK’s foremost and largest provider of public leisure centres, pools and libraries,” he said. “I'm particularly proud that we have achieved this while sticking faithfully to our genuine values of being a charity, a social enterprise and a workers’ cooperative.”

Liz Terry, editor of HCm said: "Mark Sesnan has worked tirelessly to champion the value of social enterprise in the industry, driving GLL to become a major force in the market.

"He and his team have built a huge operation while never losing sight of their primary values – to make activity, sport and wellbeing accessible for all.

"From sport to health and fitness and spa and wellness, GLL facilities create opportunities for people to practice self-care every day, while the GLL Foundation has supported numerous talented athletes to achieve their Olympic ambitions over many decades."

"When crisis strikes, whether it be the Grenfell disaster, when GLL opened up its centres for those affected, or the cost of living crisis – which has seen GLL open up warm spaces for the community – the organisation never hesitates to step up.

"The industry has been very fortunate to have such a dedicated champion making such a difference and trailblazing in the social enterprise sector."

Access our digital coverage of Mark Sesnan's work since 2015 here.

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GLL's Mark Sesnan awarded OBE for services to the leisure industry