Lorraine Patrinos

With over 35 years of experience within the leisure industry, Lorraine is a founder member of GLL, and the organisation’s first Chair. She worked her way up through the organisation, from lifeguard and receptionist to general manager, before deciding to retrain and specialise in HR in 2000.

Until 2022, Lorraine and her team were responsible for GLL Learning & Development for the workforce (currently 13,000) covering everything from induction, compliance, continuous development, professional qualifications, apprenticeships and development programmes including the award-winning Trainee Manager Scheme, GLL Talent initiatives and in house management development programme.

In January 2023, Lorraine was appointed the People Director for GLL and formed a more holistic approach to the employment journey by bringing together the people and now Payroll team and rooting them in the operational and strategic needs of the business. In her first year, she led and supported the managers and workforce in achieving Investors in People Gold Award for the organisation; In 2024 she won UK Active’s outstanding Leader of the Year Award; and 2026 GLL is shortlisted for IIP Organisation Leadership and Management Award.