We’re proud to have an amazing team

Senior

Our Senior Team set the overall direction for Vivify. Their commitment to giving back to schools and building thriving communities of healthier and happier people across the UK, runs throughout everything we do.

Russell Teale

Co-founder and CEO

I have 18 years experience working in the leisure industry in schools, gyms and other leisure businesses. Starting from grass-roots, progressing to senior executive positions in a multi-site consumer-facing environment with a purpose.


I’m most passionate about health and wellbeing in the community, as well as being obsessed with delivering a world-class experience to venues, customers and colleagues.

"I’m happiest when I’m in the lakes, up a mountain with the family!"

Alaine Swis

Co-Founder & Marketing Director

15 years experience in driving sales across a variety of industries including gyms, hotels, property and event spaces.

Specialise in transforming businesses through implementing a digital-first approach.

Launched 5 new brands and 10 rebrands - including 11 new websites, 5 bespoke build booking engines, onboarding processes and apps.

Dedicated to improving the customer journey, communicating stories and embracing technology.

Happiest when covered in mud hiking with my 3 doggies and hubby.

Carl Cox

Finance Director

ACA qualified chartered accountant with 11 years experience working with private equity backed SMEs, large businesses and start-ups having worked in various industries including fintech, social care and asset hire.

Focused on driving positive change through strong financial management to enable businesses to make key strategic decisions to constantly improve the services provided to their customers.

My primary aim has always been to take a customer first approach and utilise the development of tech solutions to help drive positive customer experience.

Happiest when enjoying good food whilst surrounded by friends and family.

Richard Millman

Non Exec Chairman

Over 20 years of board level experience, and early career was spent at Guiness, The Coca-Cola.

Currently working on a portfolio of Non-Executive roles, including as the Non Exec Chairman of The Protein Works, having spent the previous ten years focussing on the area of Private Equity backed businesses turnarounds in the Leisure Sector, most notably as the CEO of Leisure Connection (1Life) and the turnaround and subsequent management buyout of Total Fitness Health clubs.

Happiest when being active – cycling, running, boating, kayaking and hill walking – I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro!

Leadership

Our leadership team are a group of highly experienced leaders across operations, customer experience, marketing and digital, united with the common goal of providing the best possible experience to the schools and communities we serve.

Debbie Gallagher

Head of School Relationships

18 years experience in the leisure industry working for David Lloyd and Virgin Active in various roles including Sales and Membership Manager and General Manager.

Strong communicator, putting people at the forefront of everything and winning many awards.
Managed and exceeded budgets whilst delivering the highest net growth over a 5 year period.

“Happiest when surrounded by happy people. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and my favourite film is ELF (I’ve even called my puppy Buddy).”

Jen Shuttleworth

Head of People & Culture

A decade of experience working in Operations and Sales across both Leisure and Food Retail with a passionate focus for People Development.

Thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment with a proven record of delivering aspirational engagement, service and financial targets.

Developed projects in Human Resources from conception to delivery with a multi-faceted aim to recognise and enhance the employee lifecycle.

Associate CIPD Level 5. Have completed various courses including data analytics, GDPR and training. Currently studying Mental Health awareness.

Happiest when drinking a rhubarb gin after a scenic walk with my husband.

Sohayla Worth

Marketing Manager

CIM qualified marketer with 10 years’ experience working in higher education marketing and events.

I take an empathy-led approach to walking the customer journey and delivering an exceptional experience for all.

Passionate about breaking down barriers to disadvantaged groups, bringing people together from different walks of life, and giving everyone a voice through storytelling.

Unafraid to challenge the status quo and dedicated to finding creative solutions to customer problems.

Happiest when spending time with loved ones or watching a spectacular sunset, preferably from a rooftop, with a rum cocktail in hand. New York springs to mind…

Michael Brewster

Technical Lead

An accomplished Technical Lead with more than eight years of extensive experience in developing modern, scalable, user-friendly and high-performance cloud solutions.

I'm passionate about bringing people together. I volunteer in a public organisation focused on community engagement by supporting and encouraging our local communities to thrive.

I find it genuinely exhilarating to be developing a product with meaning. Vivify is an excellent fit for me - they share my values of community. We're going to deliver great resources for our communities to use.

Happiest when contributing to the positive impact technology can have on the lives and work of others.

Thomas Hague

Head of Customer Experience

I am a passionate leader and coach with over 9 years of experience driving high-class customer service within customer management centres. My experience comes from multiple positions held as a performance & culture coach, and customer contact manager within the retail and automotive industry. I am passionate about people development, performance coaching and driving efficiency through creating a continuous improvement culture. 

Happiest when I am playing Golf with friends on a summer day.

Sales & 
Marketing

Our expert sales and marketing team have a plethora of knowledge and expertise in education marketing and school lettings. They work tirelessly to make sure our schools facilities are booked throughout the year, while helping community groups find a place to get together.

Rob Aitken

Head of School Partnerships

A qualified teacher and academy trustee with a decade of experience supporting schools in the use of innovative technologies and services.

Understands the priorities of schools and how that can place specific challenges on change management or technology implementation.

Passionate about the wellbeing of students and staff and the quality of education: determined to put schools first and help to place them at the centre of their community.

Happiest when with my family in the park or at the beach; or miles away from them on my road-bike

Chris Whitehead

Sales Executive

Over 20 years of experience working in service and sales, including 12 years helping to deliver industry leading retention sales for O2 Telefonica UK.

Prior to Vivify I worked as a Senior Works Coordinator, ensuring effective communication, and coordination between all levels of the business, from customers and all company operations to Government Inspectors and reporting directly to the Managing Director.

I’m passionate about delivering on promises both to customers and the business, I believe this builds trust and respect, which is the cornerstone of any relationship.

Happiest when I’m with family and friends, it’s the simplest yet greatest feeling spending time with people you love.

Felix Shumack

Content Creator

Over 15 years of experience working across a wide range of sectors and specialising in brand storytelling through purpose driven creative content.

A visual storyteller with a wealth of experience creating both moving and still content for creative campaigns using the power of narrative to help brands connect with their audiences on a deeper, more meaningful level.

Dedicated to sharing stories that inspire people to live fuller, healthier and more meaningful lives.

Happiest when exploring the Lake District fells with my wife and lunatic ridgeback after a few double espressos.

Operations

Critical to the successful delivery of our schools’ lettings programmes, our expert Operations team are dedicated to understanding your school’s unique needs while providing a seamless service each and every day.

Darriel Booth

Regional Operations Manager

I've worked in the leisure industry for over 10 years across a range of customer-facing roles.

Before joining Vivify, I was busy managing school sites, so I have a breadth of knowledge when it comes to managing and hiring out school facilities.

I’m passionate about ensuring our schools and hirers have the best experience, and I'm always ready at the end of the phone to help, no matter the question!

Paul Scrutton

Regional Operations Manager

Spent the last 20 years working in the fitness Industry, roles varying from freelance personal trainer to general manager.

Throughout this period, I have worked within singular private site operators to large commercial chain organisations, gaining vital commercial and operational knowledge along the way.

My true passion comes in driving the highest operational standards, to ensure the finest customer experience.

Happiest when in the gym or watching the Formula One.

Alex Martin

HR Generalist

I have quickly developed a passion in dealing and looking after people as I find them the most important asset of any enterprise. I started my career in customer service in Gatwick Airport leading a team of 30+ members. This led me to move into employment law, where I have spent the past 4 years of my career in senior advisory roles helping employers as well as employees through good and also difficult situations. I have always believed that a company is made by its people and only happy and motivated people will build a great company!

Happiest when reading a book on a 12-hour flight to Asia!

Tony Maguire

Customer Service Advisor

I have over 3 years of experience in customer service, including complaints and second level where I was supporting agents on the phone. 

I strive in helping people and delivering an excellent customer service experience, no issue is too big or too small and I always make sure a solution is found.

After moving from Ireland in January 2022 I was looking for the role that suits myself and characteristics and I believe Vivify is the perfect match through there development of local communities in boosting mental and physical health.

Happiest when chilling in the evenings listening to music in the evening with my partner and our Pup 🐩

Natasha Tsvakayi

Customer Service Advisor

With over 3 years customer service experience, I endeavour to provide the best customer service experience I can to ensure that the customer comes off the call feeling satisfied and supported.

During my time at University, I was president of the Zimbabwean society and finding venues for activities was always difficult. Therefore, I resonated with Vivify’s mission.

Happiest when I am surrounded by likeminded happy people 😊

Meet our community hosts...

Our Community Hosts are responsible for opening and closing our schools across the UK on evenings, weekends and school holidays. All our hosts are enrolled onto our thorough Training Academy, where they learn everything from operational standards, security, safeguarding and customer service. During the recruitment process we put a particular emphasis on Vivify's values, as it's crucial our hosts understand just how meaningful a lettings programme can be.

Here are some of our hosts describing the impact they see school lettings have on their local community.

Want to join our team?

We have a diverse team with a variety of skills, all united under one vision - decreasing inactivity and loneliness in society whilst generating much-needed revenue for community venues. We’d love to meet you.

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