Buoyed by its backing from Sport England in the quango’s recent sports strategy, CIMSPA has sought to carry forward this momentum with the signing of several new partnerships.

The Chartered Institute recently announced Fusion Lifestyle as the first leisure operator to commit its entire workforce to CIMSPA membership, while Future Fit Training has since followed suit. Future Fit has also been confirmed as the CPD launch partner for CIMSPA’s exercise and fitness stream.

As part of its shift to CIMSPA, Fusion Lifestyle will remove its workforce from REPs to take up CIMSPA’s new affiliate membership, with roughly 650 exercise and fitness members due to sign up imminently, followed by Fusion managers over the next twelve months. In addition, CIMSPA membership will become a prerequisite for all employees joining Fusion in the future.

“Our employees are crucial to our success as an organisation,” said Tim Mills, director of business development at Fusion.

“By committing to CIMSPA, we are investing in the future of our employees and their ongoing professional development to ensure they have the skills and expertise to help our customers live healthier and more active lives.”

Meanwhile, the Future Fit Training tie-up sees the training provider's modules counting towards meeting CIMSPA members’ annual requirements, in line with the institute’s new CPD policy.

Future Fit Training CEO Rob Johnson said: “We’re very excited to be taking up our skills development partnership with CIMSPA.

“As the whole sector moves to adopt their model of fit-for-purpose qualifications, training and CPD we’re proud to be the first provider offering high-quality CPD opportunities to exercise and fitness professionals within the new ecosystem.”