Emd ukstrengthens board with new non-executive directors

As EMD UK – the national governing body for group exercise – prepares to launch an ambitious new five-year strategy designed to strengthen the role of group exercise in improving the nation’s health, the body has appointed seven new Non-Executive Directors to its Board.

Joining the Board with immediate effect are well-known leisure industry leaders Jenny Patrickson and Debra Stuart, alongside Christina Hennessey, Rob Lander, Alison Crowe, Melissa Wright and Aimee Henderson. Each has been appointed for an initial four-year term.

The appointments come as EMD UK enters the final year of its current five-year strategy and begins shaping its strategic direction for 2027-2031.

The new appointments will help guide EMD UK’s next phase of development, with a particular focus on strengthening the integration of group exercise within health, supporting workforce development and ensuring the sector continues to play an increasingly important role in tackling physical inactivity, health inequalities and social isolation.

Among the new appointments is Jenny Patrickson. With more than 30 years working the sector, Jenny brings extensive experience advising operators, suppliers and governing bodies, considerable commercial and strategic expertise together with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the leisure sector.

“The quality and diversity of applicants was exceptional and reflects the progress EMD UK has made over recent years,’ says Samantha Cullum, Chair, EMD UK.