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Our directors and consultants have the skills, experience and knowledge to make a real difference for clients in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Our team is at the forefront of those continuing to investigate the social, economic and community benefits of sport and leisure provision.

We have supported clients from high level over-arching leisure strategies, through to centre feasibility studies. We have worked with clients to develop indoor and outdoor leisure facility strategies and advise on the best delivery and management options.

Lisa Forsyth

Lisa started her career in operations, prior to joining Max Associates in 2009, and is now Managing Director. Lisa focuses on procurement, capital investment strategies and strategic planning for public services across the active wellbeing, sport, and physical activity landscape. Following a long club hockey career, Lisa is trying out golf, when not hot-tailing it after her fox-red lab!

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Kirsty Winders

Kirsty has worked in the leisure sector for 20 years, starting her career in leisure centre operations.  She has worked as a consultant for the last 11 years supporting Councils through a range of projects from procurement to built facility strategies and feasibility studies.  Outside of work, Kirsty has completed a number of ultra marathon walks and likes to collect Lego.

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Nicky Turnbull

Nicky specialises in writing Built Facility Strategies, Active Wellbeing Strategy development, strategic outcome planning guidance reports, and delivering key stakeholder, public consultation and engagement work. Out of work hours, Nicky is a qualified hockey coach and also plays league, summer and Masters hockey.

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Greg Chesters

Greg has over 20 years' experience in the leisure industry – 18 years as an operator and the past two (and counting) as a consultant. He supports clients with procurement, capital investment strategies, service reviews, and feasibility studies, including revenue projections and business plans. Outside of work, Greg has joined the padel hype and recently become a little obsessed with kettlebell training – perhaps a side effect of turning 40...!

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Claire Elkin

Claire specialises in the consultation aspect on behalf of our clients, working closely with clients to ensure the consultation surveys and subsequent reports produced are bespoke to each client.

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Sarah Gilvey

Sarah looks after our financial accounts and payroll, and also proofs/formats our reports. In her spare time, Sarah loves travelling, skiing and walking her dog.

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Chloe Hammill

Chloe has a background in leisure, publishing, recruitment and sales and marketing, and provides Business Development support for Max Associates. Away from her desk, Chloe is social co-ordinator for her two kids! She also loves socialising with friends and staying active—padel and Pilates are her go-tos!

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Lucy Matthews

Lucy graduated from Loughborough University with a BEng in Architectural Engineering and is a British athlete. She joined Max Associates in 2025 as our Graduate Researcher. Out of work Lucy loves reading and writing and she hopes to one day be a children’s author.

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Team Testimonials

“The level of detail in the financial analysis was impressive. The report has been taken forward to decision-makers and is regarded as a solid piece of work upon which implementation of leisure developments may be based. Lisa and her colleagues remained flexible, approachable and highly committed to the project throughout. I would recommend Max’s services to any other council looking for delivery of similar projects.”

Michael Walker
Trafford Council

“I would highly recommend Max Associates for their technical knowledge, structured approach and more importantly, their ability to successfully engage with a wide range of stakeholders. Lisa demonstrated an excellent understanding of the political context and was able to provide a flexible approach to inspire confidence and deliver results.”

Claire Walker
Middlesbrough Council

“Following the successful completion of Southampton City Councils’ Sport and Recreation Partnerships Project, I would like to formally offer my sincere thanks to Mark and Lisa. Their support (and at times patience) was excellent and I really have enjoyed working with such a professional organisation. On behalf of Southampton City Council, thank you for al your hard work, expertise and experience you brought to the project.”

Jayne Ludden
Sport and Recreation Manager
Southampton City Council

“The quality and level of project management provided by Lisa was first class in every aspect. Lisa ensured the project progressed efficiently whilst at the same time covered all issues. Her management and organisational skills resulted in a very successful project excercise and her excellent communication skills coupled with her knowledge provided great comfort to my members when making the final decision on this major project. To summarise I have no hesitation on recommending Lisa (Max Associates) for any related project management/consultancy that she may consider.”

Harrinder Rai
Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods
Melton Borough Council

With the support, help and advice of Mark Steward, the outcome of the procurement process not only met the objectives but far exceeded them. I cannot over emphasise the difference Mark made to the eventual outcome. Having project managed a number of leisure management projects I have to say this one has been the pinnacle in my 35 year local government career and that is firmly due to Max Associates involvement. Described as a “game changer” for the council by the Financial Director in cabinet, the contract also exceeds the qualitative requirements set out in the specification.”

Martin Holland
West Oxfordshire District Council

Recent News

Lucy Joins the Max Associates Team!

We are delighted to welcome Lucy Matthews to the Max Associates team! Lucy joins us as a Graduate Researcher and will play a key role in supporting our consultants and…

We’re Hiring!

Are you passionate about sports, leisure, and data-driven insights? This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a small, dynamic consultancy working with local authorities, Councils, and private sector clients…

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