Meet the Team

Peter has worked in the sport, leisure and culture sector for over 35 years, including working with GLL for more than 25 years.

During that time, Peter has been involved with a wide range of high-profile national and international projects such as new company formation, policy review, organisational development, performance planning, international sport projects, conferences and facility management.

Peter has presented industry evidence to UK Parliamentary Select Committees at the House of Commons on two occasions, during sessions on the Olympic & Paralympic Games and Social Enterprise within the Public Sector.

He has supported the British Olympic Association with training camp preparations in Brazil and gave expert advice on Olympic & Paralympic legacy in Tokyo to the National Diet of Japan Session on Olympic Legacy, as well as presenting to the Japan National Sport Council and Tokyo City Government.

As well as being Chief Executive for GLL, Peter is Chair of the GLL Sport Foundation which is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme.

Previously, Peter has been Chair of the Pro-Active East London Sports Board (CSP), Honorary Industrial Advisor to London Metropolitan University, National Council Member of Social Enterprise UK, a national assessor for Sport England’s National Management Awards and has contributed to Leisure Management publications.

Mark was instrumental in the pioneering move back in 1993 to move the leisure service from Greenwich Council to a staff-led, not-for-profit Social Enterprise Leisure Trust – the first trust of this type.

Mark has extensive experience in leisure management, having worked for many years at senior level in local government and latterly in the ‘not-for-profit’ sector.

He is currently Honorary Secretary of Community Leisure UK, a board member of Ukactive and is Co-Chair of the London Social Enterprise Leaders Group. 

Mark has been a Cabinet Office adviser on local authority mutual ‘spin outs’ and speaks regularly at conferences on social enterprise, business leadership, trusts and partnerships issues. He has co-authored papers for Sport England and other organisations. 

Mark was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to the UK leisure industry, in particular during Covid-19.

With over 20 years’ experience in the Leisure and Swimming Industry, Emma has worked her way up through GLL from teaching on poolside to heading up the UK’s largest Swimming Lesson Programme across GLL, managing a team of Aquatics Professionals. She is passionate about water safety, increasing participation in swimming and raising the visibility of the physical and mental health benefits of Swimming.

A qualified swimming teacher and keen swimmer, with experience in project management, pool programming, lesson programme management and team leadership, Emma heads up GLL’s National Aquatics Team.

Emma works closely with National Governing Bodies such as STA and Swim England, she has facilitated Holding Camps and Training Camps for both British and International Swimming, Diving and Artistic Swimming Teams and supported GLL Sports Foundation athletes to gain qualifications and employment with GLL.

On a voluntary basis and as a Trustee on GLL’s Worker Board, Emma is also heavily involved in the engagement of our wider workforce and continues to champion the EDI agenda through active involvement in the company’s EDI Implementation Plan. Emma also holds a Board Trustee role with Active Essex, a Sport England Active Partnership.

Tony Wallace is an experienced Sports and Leisure professional with over 25 years experience within the leisure industry working for GLL, the UK’s leading Charitable Social Enterprise and largest leisure operator in the UK.

 

Tony is a Regional Director for GLL and has been involved with the GLL Sport Foundation since its launch in 2007 and has seen it grow into the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme of its kind receiving acclaim for its support of young athletes from leading people in the sports and political arena.

 

Tony currently leads the Sport Foundation team and is focussed on developing the programme ensuring that athlete’s remain at the heart of everything that it does. 

What is your favourite sport – Football
How did you get into sport – I started playing football for my local team when I was 10 and I never looked back! I represented my county in multiple ages groups, and then I was offered a place in a Football academy programme. This led to a place in the club’s senior teams, where I spent the next five seasons playing with them. After having surgery for a bad knee injury and taking some time out of the game, I returned to playing football for my local team.
What is your favourite sporting memory – Playing in a cup match with 10 players and being 5-0 down at halftime, we came back to equalise the game 5-5 and ended up winning it 6-5 in extra time! This game will always be a reminder to never give up, even when the odds are stacked up against you!

Having already served as a GSF Ambassador, Perri brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding from an athlete and their journey through sport. Which she and GSF Board members believe will provide much-needed insight to support the development of the programme and continue to help athletes from all walks of life achieve their dreams.