Meet the Mytime Active team!
Kelly Stead has been in the role of Commercial Director at Mytime Active for the past 18 months. Reflecting on her time, she says: “It’s been an incredible journey, filled with challenges and achievements that have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
“I’ve learnt that success in my role is only possible through collaboration. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and key business partners has enabled me to drive business changes and advance the charitable trust’s goals. We never stop learning, and it’s been a privilege to be surrounded by such a wealth of knowledge.”
A key focus for Kelly has been building strong and effective teams across the leisure group and its sites. One highlight was the internal promotion of a talented individual to Head of Marketing and Communications. Kelly explains: “It’s really empowering to see a member of our team excel and earn a promotion. I’m committed to creating a work environment where hard work and talent are continually recognised and rewarded.
“To further build and lead my teams, I’ve focused on creating a supportive environment where mistakes are welcomed as opportunities to learn and grow. I introduced walking one-to-one meetings to encourage movement during the workday, fostering a healthier and more dynamic workspace. Additionally, I’ve empowered my team to take ownership of their schedules and make decisions independently, promoting trust and autonomy.”
Kelly is also on a mission to transform the operations by embracing the potential of technology to improve the experience for both customers and staff. Working closely with the Head of IT, she has been driving forward initiatives that harness innovation to streamline processes and enhance customer engagement. Kelly explains: “By integrating technology into key areas of the business, we can create a more efficient and connected workplace, helping to future-proof the charity for the long term. This includes tools that help staff communicate and motivate each other, AI-powered chatbots to assist with customer interactions, and strong plans to ensure cybersecurity. I’m proud that these efforts have earned external recognition for their commitment to innovation.
“But I’m most proud of the work we have delivered through our partnerships programmes, from winning the London Youth Games to our fantastic youth music ArtsTrain programme.
“Building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders has been crucial in enhancing our profile and credibility, highlighted by our active participation in key forums and community groups. I take great pride in our efforts to create and deliver activities for underrepresented groups, including care leavers, young parents and individuals with health conditions or disabilities, always striving to meet their unique needs.”
Read more about London Youth Games and Artstrain