Health & Wellbeing Charity Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) has a new chair at the helm, and he’s a familiar face.

Former CEO Pete Burt has taken up a new role with the company in a voluntary role as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Charitable Trust that delivers leisure and cultural services in Selby, North Yorkshire and Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

The not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity deliver a range of services, including leisure centres, wellbeing services, theatres and parks on behalf of their Local Authority partners.

Mr Burt retired in June 2021 following 17 years in the Charitable Trust sector; 6 years spent as Managing Director of Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles.

As MD, Mr Burt enjoyed many key milestones during his tenure, including significant investment into the company’s leisure offer, the introduction of new tailored wellbeing programmes to support people recovering from specific health conditions and navigating the huge financial challenges faced during the Covid pandemic.

He said:

Being part of a company that delivers social benefit above profit has always driven me, and I’m delighted I can continue to support Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles in this new voluntary role as Chair of Trustees.

The Charitable Trust sector faces significant challenges from increased energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis, but this is a sector that puts the community at the heart of what it delivers, putting purpose above profit and supporting everybody to be more physically and creatively active.

I’m looking forward to working with our other wonderful trustees to support IHL to play an active part as a preventative health service, showcasing why the Charitable Trust model can play a key role in supporting NHS professionals through new rehabilitation, prehabilitation and preventative wellbeing services.

Mr Burt replaces Darren Wood, who is stepping down after 2.5 years as Chair but will remain on the Board of Trustees.

Chris Derbyshire, Managing Director of Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, said:

We’re delighted to have a familiar face return to Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles as Chair of our Trustees. Pete brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the sector amassed over almost two decades.

A huge thanks must also go to our previous Chair, Darren Wood, for his leadership and support throughout the last few years as our charity recovered from the financial challenges faced across the sector.

Rebecca Boocock, Chief Operating Officer at Power Platform specialists Bespoke and Catherine Wilks Senior Director at global consultancy firm Slalom have been appointed Vice-Chairs.