Leading leisure operator GLL introduces new leadership team
GLL, the UK’s largest leisure and cultural services charitable social enterprise, has announced the appointment of Philip Donnay as Chief Executive Officer and Andy Bindon as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Peter Bundey.
The appointments bring together more than three decades of experience in GLL’s development and a strong track record in organisational leadership, transformation and strategic delivery. The new leadership team will build on the business’ established strengths while supporting its continued evolution to meet the changing needs of communities and public service partners.
Philip Donnay, a qualified Chartered Accountant, has more than 30 years’ experience across the leisure, health, sport and cultural services sectors. Having held several senior leadership positions within GLL, including Finance Director, Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, he has played a pivotal role in the organisation’s growth from a pioneering employee-owned social enterprise into one of the UK’s largest charitable providers of public leisure and cultural services. His combination of financial expertise, commercial insight and deep knowledge of GLL’s operating model positions him to lead the organisation through its next phase of development, balancing strong operational and financial performance with its commitment to delivering social value. Philip is also a longstanding advocate for libraries and literacy and chairs the GLL Literary Foundation, reflecting the breadth of the organisation’s work beyond traditional leisure provision.
Andy Bindon brings extensive experience in people leadership, organisational transformation and cultural change. His career has included senior HR roles in the NHS, printing industry and London Underground, followed by HR Director positions in the rail sector, where he helped deliver major transformation programmes.
He rejoined GLL in 2019 as Chief Officer, Change and Values, having previously served as the organisation’s HR Director from 2002 to 2008. In his new role, Andy will lead GLL’s corporate plan, change and values agenda, helping translate strategic priorities into organisational development and delivery.
The leadership transition opens a new chapter for GLL as it approaches its 40th year in 2033. Building on a track record of growth in public leisure, library and community services, the organisation is setting its sights on the next stage: reaching more people, deepening its impact, and building an organisation designed to last for generations.
Prevention sits at the heart of that ambition. With healthy life expectancy falling and pressure on the NHS and local government growing, GLL believes everyday activity, reading as part of wellbeing, and community connection are among the most effective and most overlooked tools for keeping people well. Its leisure centres and libraries already reach communities that traditional health services often struggle to.
GLL will grow by going deeper with the councils, health partners and communities it already serves, and by bringing its library services to new places. It will also keep evolving its offer, making it more personal, more digital and more inclusive, so that it stays relevant to customers at every stage of life.
Philip Donnay, GLL CEO, said: "It's a privilege to lead GLL, an organisation I've been proud to be part of for three decades. I've watched it grow from a single London borough into a national social enterprise, and I've seen the difference our people make in communities every single day.
Our ambition is simple: to help more people live longer, healthier, happier, and more connected lives. Good health isn't built by treatment alone. It's built in pools, gyms and libraries, close to home. That's where GLL already is, and where we can do so much more.
We're owned by the people who deliver our services, and that's our greatest strength. Every surplus goes back into communities, and we're building something that lasts, not just for the next few years but for generations to come."