SLC (The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy) was established in 2009. The support we provide creates more active communities in core cities, metropolitan councils, boroughs and district councils. We also provide support to government agencies, developers, universities, the third sector and schools.
We develop clear insight to inform effective sport and physical activity and leisure facility strategies, undertake leading edge feasibility studies and masterplans and facilitate successful operational partnerships, often saving £ millions and always improving services.
Once our clients have experience of working with us and achieving outstanding results, they stick with us, building a long-term relationship on trust and shared values.
Our consulting team is exceptional: dedicated, innovative and highly experienced. These are the kind of people you need alongside you in a challenging, politically sensitive and results-driven environment.
SLC has an unrivalled track record of shaping sector thinking and best practice and we continue to campaign on the issues we care about.
We are now firmly established as the leading independent advisor to the sport, physical activity and leisure sector with a proven reputation for quality, integrity and innovation.
History
SLC (The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy) was established by Duncan Wood-Allum in 2009. Prior to SLC, Duncan had a successful seven years at Capita Group in their blue-chip and property consultancies working on transformational sport and leisure projects. He spent three years at PMP Consultancy from the year 2000, preceded by nine years in local government operating and developing leisure facilities and services.
Directors David Rushton and Toby Kingsbury provide expert support for our clients supported by a talented team of consultants.
Duncan has developed an unrivalled track record over his career for delivering successful, high-profile leisure facilities, including the Olympic Aquatic Centre and the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, establishing national programmes such as Quest™ and supporting organisations in transforming their services and saving £ millions.
Before SLC started trading Duncan undertook a global study tour which included invitations from New York City’s Parks and Recreation Department and the New Zealand Recreation Association to share knowledge and best practice. He became an executive member of the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officer’s Association (cCLOA) in 2010 serving until 2017.
Over recent years he has assembled a balanced team of highly qualified, experienced and respected consultants passionate about improving and developing facilities and services for sport, leisure and physical activity.
Senior appointments, including David Rushton, one of the UK’s leading experts on leisure procurement, and Toby Kingsbury, formerly of Brighton and Hove City Council, have further strengthened SLC’s reputation as the leading strategic adviser to the sector. Anna Dalton joined SLC in 2012 and has been an essential part of SLC’s success.
SLC works regularly with the UK’s leading experts in design, cost consultancy, asset management, regeneration and commercial property. SLC can also call upon trusted associates in sports development, museums, the arts and archives to support our work in the cultural sector.
Members of the team provide thought leadership in areas such as leisure procurement, healthy eating in leisure facilities, promoting physical activity and tackling inefficiencies. They maintain a high profile in the sector through articles and presentations at seminars.
SLC’s work on strategies that deliver new facility developments and value-added leisure partnerships is now starting to make a big impact on sport and leisure infrastructure and services across the UK. Over 150 projects have been successfully delivered since 2009 and SLC now supports over 40 projects per annum. Several clients have secured £millions of capital funding through our work and some have won awards in relation to our projects. SLC’s international work is also developing with appointments in Galway, Ireland and Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Client feedback has been consistently outstanding.
In addition to the team’s individual voluntary work, SLC is also committed to providing pro bono support to local sports organisations. Examples include mentoring a local boxing club in Sussex to assist them in securing £10k funding in 2013 and providing pro bono procurement advice to East Grinstead Sports Club in 2017. SLC has also established a free phone helpline for the sector.
In February 2015 SLC achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification and in February 2018 upgraded to 9001:2015 certification, a further illustration of its commitment to quality.
Our vision
Communities leading active and healthy lives through sustainable partnerships, facilities and services.
Our values
Integrity
- Respecting your values
- Telling you how it is, not what you want to hear
- Doing what we say and delivering on what we promise.
Passion
- Focusing on delivering the very best outcomes for you
- Caring about you, your projects and your communities
- Campaigning and championing key issues that matter to us.
Talent
- Providing your project with the very best people
- Investing in training, development and learning
- Encouraging continuous improvement and rewarding excellence.
Sustainability
- Providing solutions that deliver long term sustainability
- Championing sector leading asset and environmental management solutions
- Minimising our impact on the environment.
Knowledge
- Providing thought-leadership to the sector
- Sharing good practice with our colleagues, clients and strategic partners
- Raising standards within our sector.
