The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has announced that five employers in the sport and activity sector have committed to investing in the UK development body following its new business plan.

CIMSPA, which provides leadership and drives standards for professionals working in sport and physical activity, has acquired the support of Everyone Active, Leisure Connection, DC Leisure, the Amateur Swimming Association and Greenwich Leisure Limited.

The new investors in the Chartered Institute have purchased more than 150 memberships for their respective teams.

The new business plan was welcomed and adopted by a record number of CIMSPA members at its AGM on 7th November 2013, with the plan including a new governance structure, following a three-month business review led by CIMSPA Trustee David Stalker.

“We are aware of the challenges that face managers in the sector whereby a third of managers do not have the appropriate skills or qualifications for their role,” said Steve Philpot, commenting on behalf of DC Leisure.

“At DC Leisure we pride ourselves on providing a career pathway for staff supporting them to progress from technical roles to management levels and I am confident the new CIMSPA business plan will support this ambition.”

At CIMSPA’s AGM, 185 out of 203 members voted in favour of the new business plan, while Julian Leybourne (ICON Training), Carl Bennett (NHS Stoke on Trent) and Ian Nicks (Independent Pool Consultant) were elected as new trustees for the body.

More information on CIMSPA is available here