Marcus Kingwell, EMD UK’s CEO

Marcus Kingwell has been appointed as EMD UK’s new CEO.  For the last five years Marcus has held the position of Managing Director at AoC Sport, a not-for-profit company which represents, promotes and supports further education and sixth form college sport and physical activity. His main responsibility whilst there was getting 700,000 16 to 19-year olds physically active; in addition he oversaw the World Skills UK Fitness Trainer Competition which finds the best personal trainers in the UK through a vigorous competitive process.

Marcus brings a wealth of experience to the role with more than 20 years’ experience in sport, health and wellbeing, leisure and cultural projects. He started his sports development career with Hampshire County Council in the mid-1990s before moving to sport and leisure consultancy for 12 years, focusing on strategy and facility development. Other roles include Interim CEO for London Sport, Interim Executive at Welsh Cycling and an Associate with The Sport Leisure and Culture Consultancy.

Marcus is an accomplished presenter, trainer, public speaker and facilitator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity as well as a PRINCE2™ Registered Practitioner.

Nigel Wallace, Chair of EMD UK’s Board said ‘We are delighted that Marcus has joined the EMD UK team at such an important phase in our development. He will add impetus and foresight to grow our footprint and influence. More directly he will build upon the existing platform to make a significant difference in supporting our industry’s instructor base and a positive contribution to the quality of exercise delivery across the sector.  He is the right leader at the right time and we have exciting times ahead.’

Marcus said, ‘I am thrilled to be joining EMD UK at this exciting time. Participation in group exercise increasing and the social and health benefits that it brings are widely recognised. By supporting and expanding the workforce of instructors, I want group exercise to be enjoyed by even more people, in particular the harder to reach groups.’

In his spare time, Marcus is a self-confessed exercise fanatic. His big passion is cycling and this year he completed his first triathlon.  He recently ran his first parkrun – the first of many, he promises.