From PASSION to PROFESSION

CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillon says that the physical activity sector has 󹀼 nally “come of age”

When Tara Dillon talks about the future of the sport, fitness and physical activity sector, her message is clear – the industry’s recognition isn’t just overdue, it’s essential. As CEO of CIMSPA, she has long championed the drive to showcase the professionalisation of the sector, giving the workforce the same status, credibility and career structure enjoyed by those in health, education, social care and many other industries. Now, with the introduction of professional status – and thousands already stepping up to claim it – that vision is becoming a reality. The move means that, since September, qualifi ed physical activity professionals in the UK have been able to add letters after their names, as CIMSPA has announced plans to introduce professional status. For those in the industry, post-nominal letters means that they can assure other professionals, employers, relevant sectors and the general public that they are skilled, trustworthy and ethical.

“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” says Tara. “For years, we’ve heard the same message. Everyone agrees that we need proper recognition, something that refl ects our expertise and value. Professional status does exactly that because it provides a trusted benchmark that shows the public, employers, allied professions and commissioners that our professionals are competent, accountable and proud of the difference they make.”

Everyone agrees that we need proper recognition, something that reflects our expertise and value

Professional status, awarded by CIMSPA, represents more than a title or a badge. It’s the foundation of a professional workforce that is verifi ed, valued, and visible. It signifi es that an individual meets nationally recognised professional standards, undertakes continuous professional development and commits to ethical practice. For the first time, there is a clear, portable and verifi able recognition of professional standing across the physical activity and active wellbeing landscape.

Raising the bar and the confidence For professionals, this new recognition brings tangible benefits. It gives them a way to demonstrate their skills, experience and qualifi cations in a way that is transparent and trusted. In an era where employers, clients and partners increasingly expect evidence of quality, that matters.

“It’s not just about what you’ve achieved. It’s about how you continue to grow,” Tara explains. “Professional status isn’t a one-off achievement; it’s an ongoing journey. It celebrates commitment to learning and development, to specialising in working with specifi c populations, and to being the best version of yourself for the people you serve.”

Professional status isn’t a one-off achievement; it’s an ongoing journey

That ongoing development is underpinned by CIMSPA’s Training Academy, which provides quality-assured learning opportunities aligned to professional standards. The Academy brings together education partners, training providers and employers to ensure that every learning experience supports meaningful professional growth.

“We’ve built an ecosystem that connects professional status with professional development,” says Tara. “Through the Training Academy, professionals and those aspiring to start a career in the sector can access training and qualifi cations that are recognised, relevant and rigorously quality assured. That means employers know exactly what skills their teams are gaining, and professionals know that every hour they invest in learning contributes to maintaining and growing their professional standing.”

This quality assurance is crucial. It ensures consistency across the sector and protects both professionals and consumers. Tara believes this focus on standards is what will elevate the sector’s reputation in the long term: “When you have a workforce that’s trained, properly recognised and continually developing, the whole sector becomes more resilient, more respected and more trusted.”

The power of digital recognition A key part of the new model is digital credentials which are verifi able, shareable badges that provide instant confi rmation of a professional’s qualifi cations and status. Unlike traditional certificates, which can be lost, copied, or out of date, digital credentials are dynamic, secure and globally recognisable. “Digital credentials have transformed how recognition works in many other sectors,” Tara explains. “They’re not just symbols. They’re living records of achievement that can be viewed, verifi ed and shared with a click. Employers can trust them, clients can understand them, and professionals can use them to showcase their expertise.”

For employers, this brings effi ciency and reassurance. They can instantly check that staff and job applicants are qualifi ed and up to date, reducing risk and simplifying compliance. For professionals, it brings visibility with a way to stand out in a competitive market and demonstrate commitment to quality. Tara puts it simply: “It’s modern, it’s smart, and it’s the way every credible profession is going.”

Building trust across the health and wellbeing landscape The move towards professional recognition isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader shift to position sector professionals as an integral part of the nation’s health and wellbeing system. Tara believes that professional status gives the sector the credibility and language needed to work seamlessly with partners across health, education and social care.

“When a GP refers a patient to a physiotherapist or a mental health practitioner, they have confi dence that they’re referring to a qualified, regulated professional. We, and they, want that same confidence to exist when they are referred into physical activity,” she explains. “Professional status gives that assurance. It tells the health system, ‘You can trust us. We meet nationally recognised standards, we are specialists, and we are accountable for the quality of what we deliver.’”

That connection is vital. With rising levels of inactivity and preventable health conditions, the physical activity workforce has a central role to play in helping people lead healthier, happier lives. Professional recognition ensures that contribution is understood, respected, and integrated into wider public health efforts.

A pathway for everyone through opening doors with DWP Alongside this work to recognise existing professionals, CIMSPA is also focused on creating opportunities for new entrants to careers in the sector. Through a pioneering partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), CIMSPA is helping people who are economically inactive or facing barriers to employment to build meaningful careers in the sector.

“This is one of the most exciting and rewarding projects we’re involved in,” says Tara. “We’re helping people who might never have seen a place for themselves in this industry to take their first steps into a career, not just a job. With professional status at the heart of that journey, we’re setting them up for sustainable success.”

We’re helping people, who might never have seen a place for themselves in this industry, to take their first steps into a career, not just a job

For many, this pathway is about more than training. It’s about belonging, identity, and purpose. Some of the most inspiring professionals entering the sector are those with lived experience of overcoming their own health, social or economic challenges. Tara believes this is key to expanding the sector’s reach and impact.

“When someone who’s faced barriers to activity becomes a recognised professional, they bring empathy, relatability and authenticity,” she explains. “They can connect with individuals and communities that others might struggle to reach. That’s how we start to change behaviours, not just deliver sessions. That’s how we make being active a possibility for everyone.”

A call to action

Speaking to Tara, it is clear that her message is one of pride, but also of urgency. “We’ve built the framework based on what professionals, employers and allied professions, particularly the health profession, have been asking for,” she says. “The recognition is there. The systems are in place. Now it’s time for the sector to embrace it.

Professional status is how we show the world that we are a credible, essential part of the health and wellbeing landscape

“Professional status is how we show the world that we are a credible, essential part of the health and wellbeing landscape. It’s how we ensure that every professional, in every role, has the recognition and respect they deserve.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase who we are as a sector and what we stand for. It’s about raising standards, building trust, and changing lives, both for the people we serve and for the professionals who make it happen. We can’t afford to stand still.”