About Us
Mark Steward founded Max Associates in November 2000, to deliver high quality consultancy and project management services across the sport, leisure and cultural sectors. Mark worked across a variety of London, District, Borough and Unitary Authorities and was at the forefront of investigating and demonstrating the social, economic and community benefits of sport, leisure and cultural provision.
Operating for over 20 years the company has gone from strength to strength. Offering excellent professional advice and support is still at the heart of what we do.
We are a market leader in strategic outcome planning models, feasibility studies, alternative management options and sport and leisure procurement. Delivering both consultancy and project management, we have extensive experience across the sport, leisure and cultural sectors.
Our consultants have worked for local authorities, leisure contractors and charitable organisations and therefore have a unique knowledge of all aspects of sport, leisure and cultural services. Most recently Max Associates has been a key provider of specialist consultancy services to 29 Local Authorities on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on leisure services and management contracts and the recovery period.
Our expertise includes:
Strategic Outcomes Planning Models
Strategic Outcomes Planning Models
We have extensive experience in developing Sport England Strategic Outcomes Planning Models to inform decisions required by clients to deliver long-term sustainable leisure provision. We have been ccommissioned to undertake 17 SOPM reports, with those completed achieving successful EOI and Sport England ring fencing funding.
Management Options Appraisals
Management Options Appraisals
Max Associates has completed nine appraisals over the last two years across leisure and wider cultural services.
Leisure and Cultural Services Procurement
Leisure and Cultural Services Procurement
Max Associates has undertaken over 30 procurement projects, completing shadow business plans and assessments of all income and expenditure projections for sport and leisure facilities. We are therefore fully conversant of best practice from private operators, consortiums and trusts.
Contract Monitoring
Contract Monitoring
Max Associates has delivered mobilisation and contract management services for a wide range of clients. In addition, Max Associates has operational experience to ensure the contractor is meeting the requirements of the specification
Facility Strategies
Facility Strategies
We have completed over 35 feasibility studies for centres including traditional and innovative / commercial facilities to drive participation and income.
Business and Financial Modelling Including Funding Options
Max has extensive experience in developing complete revenue business plan projections for new developments
Performance and Service Reviews
Performance and Service Reviews
We have completed service performance and efficiency reviews for private sector, trusts and local authority facilities.
Stakeholder Consultation
Stakeholder Consultation
Max Associates has run and delivered a wide range of key stakeholder engagement consultations to fully develop shared local outcomes that physical activity, leisure and sport can impact and secure buy in from stakeholders.
Recent News
New Leisure Contract Commences for Buckinghamshire Council
Max Associates was commissioned to support the Council in developing a procurement strategy to review their Leisure Services Management Contract. The Council was delivering its plan to rationalise its leisure…
The sport and physical activity sector publishes its policy calls for the 2024 general election
Max Associates is one of the 29 physical activity sectors organisations who contributed their policy ideas to create The Road to the 2024 Election Manifesto – over 100 policy ideas for…
HMRC revises treatment of VAT on in house leisure services
In March this year, HMRC announced a significant change to the VAT treatment of Local Authority Leisure Services that could add hundreds of thousands of pounds onto revenue lines. Welcome…
