The key ingredients to creating a successful workplace culture at physical activity companies will be among the topics explored at this year’s Active Training Conference.

Organised by ukactive, the event will feature a keynote session by professor Miquel Lladó, a lecturer at the IESE Business School in Barcelona, on how innovative methods of working and learning can ensure a workforce capitalises on its full potential.

Other speakers include Lifetime Training founder Heather Frankham and Virgin Active’s recently-appointed people director Hilary Tysoe, who will deliver a speech on creating a culture fit for the future and the role that the leading employers must play in the development of the entire sector’s workforce.

There will also be keynotes on the strategy for new workforce excellence from Nick Pontefract, head of sport at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and Phil Smith, director of sport at Sport England.

Pontefract has been influential in developing and implementing the government's strategy for physical activity and sport Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation, while Smith oversees the sector’s workforce development in line with the new Sport England strategy Towards an Active Nation.

Further highlights include a debate on the role of the physical activity as the new frontline of the NHS. Panellists – including Dr Steven Mann, ukactive research director and Dr Justin Varney, national lead for Adult Health and Wellbeing – will discuss how physical activity can be embedded into the healthcare system and support fitness professionals to work alongside GPs.

The event will culminate with the Active Training Awards, recognising the organisations and individuals who are leading the way in skills and workforce development.

ukactive executive director, Steven Ward, said: “Expanding the Active Training Awards to a full-day Conference demonstrates our commitment not only to rightly recognising the fantastic strides being taken to build a winning culture, but also ensuring we can continue building on that success, professionalising the sector and revolutionising ways of working.

“The Active Training agenda reflects this commitment, containing a raft of speakers and panellists with expert insight into our sector, representing a chance to discuss some of the biggest issues facing us today.

Delivered in partnership with CIMSPA and sponsored by Active IQ, the Active Training Conference and Awards take place at the Hilton hotel in Reading on 30 November. For more information and tickets, click here for the ukactive website.