BGL (Burhill Group Limited) has announced the appointment of Stephen Brown (pictured), as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Adventure and Ninja Leisure business division – taking over from Andrew Scholey as he moves into his new role at the Lane7 group at the beginning of June. Brown will officially join BGL on April 15th and will undergo an extensive induction programme before officially commencing his role.
Brown joins the business having accrued more than 34 years of experience within the leisure industry, with the majority of that time spent in the sports and fitness realm. In addition to working for non-profit organisations and registered charities, Brown also spent a significant period as Operations Director and Business Support Director at David Lloyd Clubs – Europe’s largest operator of health and fitness clubs.
Speaking on his excitement at joining BGL, Brown commented: “I’m really pleased to be taking up this new role at BGL in a space that I think I can add real value to. The company approaches business in a very considered way, and that’s one of the things that really stood out to me. It’s an exciting time to be part of the experiential leisure industry, with new avenues opening for leisure and sports experiences all the time.”
“It is a great time to join BGL. Its Adventure Leisure and Ninja Leisure brands have grown exponentially in recent years and continue to evolve and develop to match the latest industry trends. There’s no sign of this slowing down, and I’m excited to get to work with the team to further enhance our position within the leisure sector.”
Colin Mayes, CEO of BGL, added: “We’re thrilled to announce Stephen as the new COO for our Adventure and Ninja Leisure businesses. He’s got a wealth of experience from his years in the leisure industry, so we’re confident he is the right person to keep driving us forward. We’re excited for what the next few years will hold for us within the experiential leisure sector. In June, we will be opening our new Mulligans site at Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead and we are in discussions about a number of other sites too.”
Brown most recently played a pivotal role in the development of David Lloyd Clubs as the company became Europe’s most recognisable health and wellness operator. His experience within the charity and non-profit sectors, in addition to sports and leisure, will be well-suited to BGL, as it continues to develop its sports and adventure presence around the UK.
Adventure Leisure is the leading operator of leisure venues across the country, both indoor and outdoor. It is rapidly growing to become the leading operator of Adventure Golf within the UK. At the heart of the business is fun for all the family and every age group. The different brands within the Adventure Leisure business include Mr. Mulligans, Sidcup Family Golf, and Bunkers!
Ninja Leisure is the go-to operator of Ninja Warrior UK venues, chosen by ITV to provide an aggressive expansion plan. All venues are fun, safe, and inclusive, enabling all participants to create their own Ninja Warrior UK journeys.
Brown concluded: “The heritage of BGL is what really attracted me to the role, ultimately being a family-owned business. The company will continue to operate with its core values at heart and being involved in a project that is continually evolving is a really exciting prospect for me.”
