General Manager Review
at GLL
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Management
Hackney
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a General Manager at GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), I am responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and development of a multi-functional leisure facility, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, inclusive services to the local community. My role focuses on balancing commercial performance with GLL’s charitable mission, placing community wellbeing, accessibility, and customer experience at the heart of everything we do.
I lead and develop large, diverse teams across leisure operations, customer services, fitness, swimming, and wellbeing programmes. This includes setting clear expectations, embedding GLL values, driving engagement, and supporting managers and staff to achieve consistently high standards of service, safety, and compliance. I am accountable for recruitment, performance management, staff development, and fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
Alongside people leadership, I oversee financial and operational performance, including budgeting, income generation, cost control, and achievement of KPIs. I work closely with local authority partners, stakeholders, and the wider GLL network to ensure contractual requirements are met while continuously seeking opportunities to grow participation, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen the centre’s role within the community.
I lead and develop large, diverse teams across leisure operations, customer services, fitness, swimming, and wellbeing programmes. This includes setting clear expectations, embedding GLL values, driving engagement, and supporting managers and staff to achieve consistently high standards of service, safety, and compliance. I am accountable for recruitment, performance management, staff development, and fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
Alongside people leadership, I oversee financial and operational performance, including budgeting, income generation, cost control, and achievement of KPIs. I work closely with local authority partners, stakeholders, and the wider GLL network to ensure contractual requirements are met while continuously seeking opportunities to grow participation, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen the centre’s role within the community.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy my apprenticeship because it gives me the opportunity to learn while applying new skills directly in my role as a General Manager. It has helped me develop greater confidence, broaden my leadership knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of strategic and operational decision‑making. Overall, the apprenticeship supports my personal growth and enables me to be more effective in leading my team and delivering positive outcomes for the community.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Through my Level 6 apprenticeship, I have developed a strong range of leadership and management skills that I apply daily in my role. These include strategic thinking, effective people management, financial awareness, and performance improvement, alongside improved communication and stakeholder engagement.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well structured and easy to manage alongside my role. I have a dedicated PDA who I can contact at any time, regular lecturer check‑ins and feedback reviews, and quarterly employer reviews with my line manager to support my progress.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my employer throughout my apprenticeship. My line manager is fully engaged in my development, with quarterly employer reviews to review progress, provide feedback, and align my learning with operational goals.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualification. I have a dedicated PDA who is always available to offer guidance and answer questions, providing consistent one‑to‑one support. The lecturers regularly schedule check‑ins and feedback reviews to track progress, clarify learning outcomes, and ensure I stay on track. This ongoing support helps me feel confident, well‑guided, and fully supported throughout the programme.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
My qualification helps me perform better in my role by linking learning directly to real‑life practice. It strengthens my leadership, decision‑making, and confidence, enabling me to apply practical frameworks that improve how I lead teams and manage performance.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, through the GLL Society there are regular monthly events that offer social, wellbeing, and networking opportunities, helping staff connect and engage outside of their day‑to‑day roles.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GLL to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I’d recommend GLL to a friend because it’s a supportive, values‑led organisation that genuinely invests in its people. There are clear opportunities to grow through training and apprenticeships, a positive and inclusive culture, and the chance to make a real difference in the local community, which makes the work feel purposeful and rewarding.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GLL?
Don't wait - just go for it
