The award is recognition of SLM’s commitment to engaging with local communities about activity and raising leisure management standards within the leisure industry.

David Stalker, executive director of the FIA comments: "The FLAME Award is the highest accolade you can win in the health and fitness industry and winning it is a great endorsement for SLM."

"SLM truly are the very best in the business. They beat of stiff competition to prove that they have the best combination of technical, professional and people skills in the business."  

SLM were nominated in the Leisure Operator of the Year category alongside DC Leisure Management Ltd and Greenwich Leisure Ltd.

After collecting the award on the evening, Managing Director, David Bibby commented, “The FLAME Awards are an opportunity to earn one of the industry’s most prestigious titles and we are delighted to receive this fantastic accolade."

 Sports Leisure Management was formed in 1987 managing just one leisure centre in the midlands. Today SLM operates over 60 leisure venues nationwide in partnership with 20 different local authorities and employs over 5000 staff members. Its growth is due to the ability to deliver well managed leisure facilities with an activity offering which is great value for money, increasing the participation of local people in leisure activities.

 Martin Bell, Group Managing Director of Castleview, SLM's parent company, said, "This award is real proof off the excellent work that all our colleagues have put in across the board and working in partnership with our council clients to make SLM Leisure Operator of the Year 2010.”