Adrian – Swimming Academy

We employ more than 150 teachers in our Swimming Academy team across Bournemouth and Poole. They teach thousands of children every week and have a vital role in inspiring and developing swimmers' confidence.

Meet Adrian, one of our Bournemouth Swimming Academy Teachers, who sat down with us to share more about his role:

⭐ Describe your career journey at BH Live

"I began my journey with BH Live six years ago as a lifeguard, a relief duty manager, and a Swimming Academy Teacher. That's where my love of teaching really began."

⭐ What is a typical day like for you? What are your responsibilities?

"Being a swimming teacher is great as I get the opportunity to teach flexibly around my other job. I chat with people of all ages and make sure that my colleagues and students feel safe and happy."

⭐ What is your favourite thing about your job?

"I get a huge sense of pride when I see the swimmers I teach achieve a goal or master a skill. The pool is not only a place to learn, but a place where swimmers can create friendships and experiences that stay with them for life."

⭐ What is your favourite thing about working for BH Live?

"I'm surrounded by fantastic teachers who are passionate about teaching swimming. With like-minded colleagues around you, your day is so fun that you forget that work is 'work'!"

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time?

"I'm training for a 100km Ultra Marathon! I also love to cycle, but I mostly enjoy spending time with my children outdoors, making memories and having fun."

Holly – Membership Advisor

We are celebrating our team of membership advisors. You may have met some of them in our BH Live Active leisure centres, at community events or outreach days promoting the benefits of being regularly active👏

We sat down with Holly, one of our newest colleagues in the membership team, to find out more about her role:

⭐ What is a typical day like for you? What do you do? What are your responsibilities?

"A typical day consists of chatting with people and helping them to access all the great activities we have to offer. We want to make sure more people are enjoying the health and wellbeing benefits of being regularly active - we are here to help them do that."

⭐ What do you enjoy the most about BH Live?

"I love meeting new customers and colleagues across BH Live. I have made friends for life here! 🧡"

⭐ What is your favourite thing about your job?

"Helping people and telling them more about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle and how it can have a positive impact on people’s lives."

⭐What do you need to be successful in your role?

"I think you must be passionate about what's available and good at building relationships with customers and colleagues. You have to have great all-round communication skills, and be able to understand people's wants and needs."

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time?

"In my spare time, I love to exercise by hitting the gym or taking my Cockapoo for long walks along the beach."

Jacob - Technical Stage & Operations Manager

Did you know we have over 80 colleagues working within our Technical Operations teams across our organisation?

Meet Jacob, our Technical Stage & Operations Manager at Fairfield Halls in Croydon, who sat down with us to share more about his role:

⭐ How did your career journey with BH Live begin?

"I began working for BH Live in 2019 when Fairfield Halls re-opened after a three-year refurbishment. I took on my current role after the venue reopened after lockdown."

⭐ What is a typical day like for you?

"No day is ever the same. An average day can range from managing my emails and organising meetings to carrying out maintenance, setting up for shows, or planning and delivering events."

⭐ What is your favourite thing about your job?

"The challenges. Working in a historic building with a busy events programme means there's always lots of care and maintenance to be done. My job is never boring."

⭐ What do you enjoy the most about working for BH Live?

"The size of the organisation. BH Live is a large organisation, but small enough that your contribution feels like it's making a difference to the success of the business."

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time? "I enjoy restoring and riding old motorbikes and exploring the more rugged parts of the country."

Leo - Recreation Assistant

We employ hundreds of Recreation Assistants at our leisure centres across Bournemouth and Portsmouth. They ensure that our customers stay safe, and that our facilities comply with rules and regulations.

Meet Leo, one of our Bournemouth's Recreational Assistants, who sat down with us to share more about his role:

⭐ What has your career journey been at BH Live?

"I joined my team more than a year and a half ago as a Recreational Assistant. This is my first full-time job and I'm really enjoying it."

⭐ What is a typical day like for you?

"Busy! Recreation Assistants have lots of daily jobs to do such as pool maintenance, cleaning, setting up equipment, and making sure that all of our swimmers stay safe."

⭐ What is your favourite thing about your job?

"My colleagues are a wonderful bunch and very supportive. If anyone has any difficulties, they're approachable, easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable. I love chatting with our visitors too."

⭐ What do you need to be successful in your role?

"As a lifeguard, I have to be vigilant when I’m on poolside. I have to be aware of possible risks and hazards, and make sure even the smallest hazards are on my radar. Caring about your role is a huge priority."

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time?

"I love drawing, reading, and enjoy spending time swimming and being in the outdoors. I’m currently training with the RNLI!"

Nicola - Entertainments and Events

Last year we hosted more than 500 cultural events across our venues. Our entertainment team develops our fantastic event programmes, bringing class acts to our venues and making sure we accommodate all their needs.

We sat down with Nicola, one of our Entertainments and Events Officers, to find out more about her role:

⭐ What is a typical day like for you? What do you do? What are your responsibilities?

"From managing venue diaries, raising contracts, discussing deals, and liaising with promoters and producers, no day is ever the same! I get to work on a range of events including charity performances, tribute acts, as well as national and international tours with big productions."

⭐ Describe your career journey at BH Live

"I have worked at Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) since 2003! I have worked across many of our teams including hospitality, administration, and conferences and exhibitions. In November 2024, I'll be celebrating 21 years of working across our fantastic venues."

⭐ What is your favourite thing about your job?

"I love the people I work with! I have been so lucky over the years to learn from some incredible characters. Our teams have so much knowledge and passion - it's truly infectious."

⭐ What do you need to be successful in your role?

"Attention to detail has been key for every single role I've worked. I also think that having a great personality and communication goes a long way 😉. A smile also helps!"

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time? "I love going to the theatre to watch all kinds of performance - especially musicals! I also love to venture outdoors and sit and read a good book in my garden."

Sports Activities Apprentice

Did you know...We have more than 1,400 amazing colleagues delivering inspiring services and activities across the BCP region, Portsmouth, and London. Because we run leisure centres, sports venues, theatres, arenas, cafes, bars and restaurants we have so many different roles including Operations, HR, Leisure, Technology, and many more.

⭐ Describe your career journey at BH Live

"I joined BH Live in 2022 as a Sports Activities Apprentice straight from college. A year later I became the Junior Activities Coordinator 🙌."

⭐ What opportunities did you receive throughout your apprenticeship?

"I worked with different community groups to inspire more people to get active, which helped me develop my customer service skills. I also completed several online courses covering topics such as supporting adults and children with mental health conditions and inspiring women to get involved with sport and fitness. I shadowed the Sports Development Manager for more than 350 hours too which helped me learn on the job, build relationships, and support colleagues."

⭐ What are your key responsibilities?

"I coordinate with class instructors, manage children’s parties, and monitor and evaluate the junior sessions we deliver. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to expand our junior activity timetable!"

⭐ What is your favourite thing about working for BH Live?

"I get to work with so many different people from across the business. I also enjoy being able to coach the walking netball sessions on Monday mornings. Recently I was given the opportunity to begin a 14-month management qualification which is really beneficial for my professional development”.

⭐ What do you like to do in your spare time?

"I enjoy playing football and seeing friends and family. I also love watching Pompey at Fratton Park with my dad - we are season ticket holders!"

What our people say about working for BH Live

What was your onboarding experience like when you joined BH Live?

“Since I started my role, I have been welcomed by an extremely friendly team. Everyone has made the effort to include me and get to know me. I’ve been encouraged to ask questions and have been trained by the whole team in different tasks. I feel the settling in process has been very smooth and the wider team have also made my first week here very enjoyable. Overall, my experience has been exactly as I would have hoped”.

What is it like to work at one of our BH Live Active sites?

“Working for BH Live is extremely rewarding. The gym is a friendly, positive environment which I’ve never felt before in any other gym. The centre has a real community feel, living up to its name. The team are always supportive and there are great progression opportunities. I have been a part of the company for 2 & half years and have gained lots of knowledge along with climbing the ladder in my field.”.

What do you like the most about working for BH Live?

“I have loved every second of working here and the atmosphere is so positive and relaxing it’s really a nice change to what I’m used to”.

What are the team like that you work with?

“BH Live is a really great place to work. The strongest part of it is the people we work with here. It is what keeps everyone in the business for a long time”.

How does your role support your outside interests and commitments?

“I really enjoying working here. For someone with a very busy university schedule, the managers are really accommodating of this. I feel excited to go into work and feel I’m treated very well”.