THE leisure provider that runs Holsworthy Leisure Centre has won the national award for ‘Transformational Leadership’ in the leisure industry.

1610 won the award, beating competition from national operators in the leisure and physical activity sector at an awards ceremony at the Reading Hilton.

They were selected for the award, which recognises outstanding management performance and strategy, staff development and engagement to overcome a significant organisational challenge.

1610 employ 450 people at 19 leisure centres in the South West, including Holsworthy, and have undergone a total restructure to take on challenged of an increasingly competitive leisure sector, reduced public funding and the impact of the increased national living wage.

The award recognises how during the first year of the new structure 1610 was able to successfully manage and transform itself to increase performance, improve employee training and create meaningful new career pathways and roles for staff.

The reorganisation has led to significant savings in its operating costs due to innovations and increased performance in programmes such as 30% increase in junior sports development, swimming lessons have increased by 26%, fitness memberships have increased by 4% and exercise classes occupancy has increased by 5%.

1610 training and development manager Simon Bone said that although these have been challenging times for many in the leisure industry, 1610 has thrived through innovation and working closely with staff and their needs.

He said: “We are thrilled to receive this national award which recognises just how hard 1610 staff have worked together in the past year to help grow the company.

“We are now in a global marketplace with a tougher, more competitive sector but our staff have risen to the challenge and we have continued to invest both in our workforce and in providing state of the art and innovative facilities for communities across the South West.”