Please note - Some nominees were nominated by more than one colleague. We’ve included all comments received below to give you the fullest picture, so you may notice some repetition or variation in wording.
I would like to nominate Suzanne for this award. Suzanne is someone who truly makes things happen. She consistently takes initiative, brings fresh ideas to the table, and turns those ideas into real, positive results.
The amount of ideas she has thought of has genuinely changed the centre for the better. Her thinking has had a real impact on how things are done, improving both the experience for colleagues and customers. Her brain is fascinating, and seeing these ideas come to life is amazing.
Suzanne is always looking for ways to improve how we work and what we deliver. retention is mentioned a lot by her and it shows how Linlithgow keep there customers with retention through these ideas. She is not afraid to challenge the usual way of doing things and has a strong ability to see what could work better. Sometimes you just need to try something, and she has that confidence to go for it and more often than not, it works.
Her impact is clear across the board. Colleagues and customers benefit from her creativity, drive, and willingness to make change happen. Suzanne doesn’t just come up with ideas, she helps turn them into real improvements that make a noticeable difference.
Lorraine consistently brings positivity, energy, and enthusiasm to the workplace, creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and motivated. She is a genuine joy to work with, and her calm, optimistic approach has a positive impact on everyone around her. Even during periods of high pressure and heavy workloads, Lorraine remains composed, focused, and approachable, setting an excellent example for others.
Lorraine has a naturally nurturing leadership style, providing encouragement, guidance, and support to Kyle, Erin, and the wider team of coaches and teachers. She builds strong, positive relationships with both colleagues and customers and fosters an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome, respected, and able to contribute. Her ability to maintain team morale and create a supportive, enjoyable working environment is a real strength and makes a significant contribution to the success of the team.
On a personal note, Lorraine was a real standout when I joined Xcite. It wasn't simply because I line managed her, but because she immediately made me feel welcome, settled, and part of the team. Her warmth, kindness, and inclusive nature are genuine qualities that she extends to everyone around her, and they have a lasting positive impact on both individuals and the wider team at Xcite.
The growth in the Coaching products has been phenomenal and her research into further growth never stops. She leads her team to think and act the same meaning that a vital part of our service goes from strength to strength - rarely is an idea not carried forward into an action of some kind and her energy for keeping this going never stops.
There is no surprise that I am nominating our LP for this award. She consistently takes the initiative, driving new ideas and projects that help grow and improve our current offerings. She has an incredible ability to identify opportunities, inspire others to get behind them, and turn ambitious ideas into successful reality.
Over the last 18 months, she has played a key role in developing and supporting projects such as Family Fitness Factory and Mini Rocks, both of which have made a significant impact and contributed to winning a UK Active Award in 2025. These achievements are a testament to her vision, determination, and ability to deliver meaningful results.
She is constantly looking ahead, pitching innovative ideas and finding practical ways to bring them to life. She is never satisfied with standing still and is always looking for ways to improve, whether that's refining existing programmes or creating something completely new. Her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes often sees her working well into the evening, going above and beyond to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standard.
Beyond the projects themselves, she has had a hugely positive impact on colleagues across the organisation. Her passion, leadership, and collaborative approach have earned her the respect of not only our teams but also peers across the wider industry. She truly embodies what this award stands for by making things happen, inspiring others, and creating lasting, positive change.
Lorraine is always willing to step up when she is needed. Whether it is taking on additional responsibility, supporting a colleague, or dealing with a difficult situation, she approaches challenges with determination and a positive attitude. Rather than waiting for someone else to find a solution, Lorraine takes initiative, gets involved, and does everything she can to make things better.
One of Lorraine’s greatest strengths is her ability to solve problems and overcome challenges. When something isn't working or a difficult situation arises, she doesn't simply accept it. She looks at what can be done differently, finds solutions, and takes action. Her resourcefulness and determination help keep things moving and often make life easier for both her colleagues and our customers.
Lorraine is also someone who will willingly take on extra responsibility when the team needs her. She understands that sometimes going above and beyond means stepping outside your normal role, helping someone else, or taking ownership of something because it needs to be done. She does this without fuss and with a genuine desire to support the wider team.
Most importantly, Lorraine’s efforts have a direct impact on the customer experience. She genuinely cares about ensuring our customers receive the best possible service and will go that extra mile to resolve an issue or find a positive outcome. She understands that how we respond when something goes wrong can be just as important as when everything goes right.
Her willingness to take ownership of challenges means customers feel listened to, supported, and valued. Instead of simply saying something can't be done, Lorraine looks for what can be done, and that approach can make a huge difference to someone’s experience of Xcite.
Lorraine’s impact is also felt by the people she works alongside. She supports her colleagues, shares responsibility, and is someone the team can depend on when things become challenging. Knowing that Lorraine will step up and help gives confidence to those around her and contributes to a stronger team.
For me, going above and beyond isn't about one big gesture. It is about consistently choosing to do that little bit more taking ownership, helping others, finding solutions, and caring enough to make things better. Lorraine demonstrates those qualities time and time again.
Her initiative, commitment, determination, and willingness to take on challenges make a noticeable difference to our colleagues, our customers, and Xcite.
Lorraine doesn't just do what is expected of her she looks for what more she can do to help, and that is exactly why I believe she thoroughly deserves to be recognised with the Xcite Above & Beyond Award.
Karl consistently demonstrates innovative thinking and a genuine passion for improving our gym product offering. He is always looking beyond what we currently do, keeping up to date with industry trends and identifying opportunities to adapt, enhance, and introduce new ideas that improve the experience for our customers. He is never content with the status quo and continually challenges existing ways of working in a positive and constructive way.
Karl's knowledge of our gym products is exceptional, and his enthusiasm is infectious. His passion for delivering the best possible service and product offering is evident in everything he does, making him a pleasure to line manage and a valued source of expertise within the team. He turns ideas into action, ensuring improvements are not only discussed but successfully implemented.
A fantastic example of Karl's impact is the significant growth in our Health & Fitness visits, which reached 918,000. This achievement reflects his commitment to continuously developing our offer, responding to customer needs, and driving positive change. Karl's innovative approach has made a measurable difference for our customers, colleagues, and the organisation, and he continues to play a key role in shaping the future of our Health & Fitness provision.
I would like to nominate Karl for the Xcite Change Maker Award because he is someone who doesn't just talk about making things better he takes ideas, gets people behind them and helps turn them into action.
Karl is always looking at how we work and asking whether there is a better way of doing things. He brings fresh ideas and a different perspective, and he isn't afraid to challenge existing ways of working when he believes there is an opportunity to improve.
What makes Karl stand out is his ability to take a new idea and actually make it happen. Having a good idea is one thing, but turning it into something that can make a genuine difference requires initiative, determination, and the ability to bring other people with you. Karl demonstrates all of these qualities.
He has successfully introduced new ideas that have been implemented and have contributed to improvements within the organisation. He thinks beyond his own role and considers the wider impact of what we do, looking for opportunities to make things simpler, more effective, and ultimately better for colleagues, customers, and Xcite as a whole.
Karl is also good at influencing and motivating others. Positive change rarely happens through one person alone, and Karl understands the importance of getting people involved, listening to different views, and encouraging others to see what could be possible. His enthusiasm for improvement can help create momentum and turn conversations into action.
One of the things I particularly value about Karl is his willingness to challenge the phrase “that's how we've always done it.” He is prepared to ask questions, suggest alternatives, and encourage people to think differently. Importantly, this isn't change simply for the sake of change it comes from a genuine desire to improve what we do and achieve better outcomes.
Karl’s impact can be seen in the organisational improvements he helps create. He identifies opportunities, brings forward solutions, and then puts the effort into helping those ideas become reality. That ability to move from idea to action to impact is exactly what being a Change Maker is about.
Kerry truly embodies what it means to make Xcite a great place to work. She consistently makes a positive difference to everyone around her through her supportive, approachable, and genuinely caring nature. Kerry is an absolute pleasure to work alongside, and I see the positive impact she has across the organisation every single day.
Everything Kerry does is approached with positivity, enthusiasm, and a commitment to living our values. She builds strong relationships with colleagues at every level, is always willing to offer support and encouragement, and creates an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, and able to thrive. Her attitude is infectious, and she has a remarkable ability to lift those around her, even during the busiest or most challenging times.
On a personal level, Kerry has made a huge difference to my own experience at Xcite. From the moment I joined, she made me feel genuinely welcomed and part of the organisation. Her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering positivity helped me settle quickly into my role, and she continues to make the workplace a happier and more enjoyable place to be. Kerry doesn't just live the Xcite values, she brings them to life every day through her actions, making her a highly respected and valued colleague who has a lasting impact on everyone she works with.
What I find very impressive is Kerry’s ability to balance her extensive operational management responsibilities with continually developing her knowledge and understanding of business development. This enables her to drive growth while ensuring that new opportunities deliver meaningful benefits for the organisation and the local communities it serves.
Kerry manages an exceptionally broad portfolio of work at a senior level - one that few people could handle with the same confidence and effectiveness. Her skill set spans complex operational management, strategic planning, business-case development and the creation of new products and services designed with community at the heart of all decisions. To bring such breadth of expertise to the role, while consistently delivering work to such a high standard, is a significant achievement and further demonstrates the exceptional nature of Kerry’s contribution.
Kerry’s achievements extend far beyond the programmes themselves. She recognises unmet needs, brings the right people together and turns thoughtful ideas into practical initiatives that improve people’s lives.
For me, meaningful change does not simply start with Kerry - it happens because of Kerry. She is thoroughly deserving of recognition for her exceptional and lasting contribution to Xcite, its people and the communities we serve, helping more individuals to participate, connect and thrive.
