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The Max Associates team are extremely professional and knowledgeable and the work they have delivered for South Derbyshire has been outstanding.   

In South Derbyshire we had an outsourced procurement function with NHS Chesterfield – so the support Max Associates offed the Council in this process was invaluable.  They ensured we created the right service specifications to get the outcomes we were looking for and to get the best responses from the market. 

Prior to the actual leisure contract procurement work Max Associates conducted soft market testing to help initiate this process.  Also, with their expertise and support we were able to go out to market, appoint and mobilise new contractors with in a 12-month period. 

The outcomes from this means that significant savings will be realised to the council over the term of the contract, also investments into the leisure facilities have also been delivered in the first year of the contract, which has led to increased participation and customer satisfaction. 

Max Associates have also supported us on facility mix recommendations for a future leisure centre design and are working with us to devise a future Active Wellbeing Strategy. 

I would highly recommend Max Associates services to other local authorities to support any leisure contract procurement or leisure/physical activity strategy work.”

Sean McBurney
Head of Cultural & Community Services, South Derbyshire District Council

Lisa and the team at Max Associates have demonstrated their professionalism and expertise at every step. Through their guidance, our leisure operator contract procurement process has resulted in a positive outcome, representing good value for money for the Council and a positive offer for the community, ensuring the continuity of leisure services and improvement of facilities. Ensuring financial viability was a key part of the procurement process and with Lisa’s support, we secured a strong, credible and financially viable bid, which included an active communities offer, enabling a wider community reach, beyond the leisure facilities. As always, it has been an absolute pleasure working with Max Associates. Their insightful, supportive and partnership approach is exemplary, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them.”

Sarah Robson
Deputy Chief Executive, Sevenoaks District Council

We couldn’t be happier with the support and commitment from Lisa and the Max team, all technically and professionally excellent but also, crucially, in long projects with difficult challenges. Just so nice and such a good and enjoyable team to work with. They really do capture and embrace the clients’ key issues and concerns and are exceptional in the quality of support, their knowledge and expertise and crucially the respect and high regard they are held in across the wider leisure industry.”

Sue Drummond
Head of Leisure, Buckinghamshire Council

The Authority have had the pleasure of working with Max Associates for over a year.  The expert support of Max Associates has been, and continues to be, an exceptionally valuable resource for the Authority in procuring leisure services for the Borough and the on-going contract management support they are providing. Max Associates are thorough, highly competent, knowledgeable and professional in their approach. Their exceptionally proficient knowledge in the leisure industry has been invaluable and without any reservation or hesitation, I highly recommend appointing Max Associates.”

Sarah Ryan
Corporate Investment and Contract Management Manager, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

“Working with Max Associates was an absolute pleasure. Their comprehensive review of our future leisure centre management model was exceptional. They demonstrated deep understanding of the sector, meticulously analysing operations, customer experience and financial performance. The final report was thorough, insightful, and presented clarity, offering practical recommendations that aligned perfectly with our councils’ objectives. Thanks to their high-quality work, we now have a clear roadmap to improve efficiency and enhance the services we provide the community.  I wholeheartedly recommend Max Associates to any organisation seeking expert consultancy in the leisure sector.”

Dan Stone
BCP Council

I would not hesitate to recommend Max Associates to other areas who are on a similar journey. The team have significant experience of supporting Councils and Leisure Trusts through the SOPM process, and their input and support has strengthened our ability to develop a strong and viable Leisure Transformation vision which will benefit our community for many years to come.

Lyndsey Sims
Hyndburn Leisure Trust

Kirsty and Lisa, directors of Max Associates, were a pleasure to work with. Their support on this project has been invaluable and their expertise guided us to the right outcomes for the Council and the wider local community. Their planned approach and foresight of potential issues during the process ensured we delivered a thorough process within the required timescales.”

Rachel Biles
Cotswold District Council

“We couldn’t be happier with the support and commitment from the Max team, all technically and professionally excellent, this was crucial in our long-term project with difficult challenges. Just so nice and such a good and enjoyable team to work with. They really do capture and embrace the client’s key issues and concerns and are exceptional, in the quality of support, their knowledge and expertise and the respect and high regard they are held in across the wider leisure industry.”

Sue Drummond
Buckinghamshire Council

“Max Associates was appointed to deliver a Leisure and Wellbeing Strategy for the District, throughout the project they offered extensive experience and insight to the process of developing this strategy resulting in a clear and effective path forward for the Council to improve its services and deliver upon wider outcomes. Their flexible approach allowed for the development of a strategy which was in line with the Council’s ethos and aspirations. The management options appraisal provided an evidenced analysis from which the Council can now make informed decisions about the future delivery of the services.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Max Associates to carry out similar projects”

Angela Gillingham
Stroud District Council

“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. I would recommend Max’s services to any other council looking for delivery of similar projects.”

Michael Walker
Trafford Council

“I have found their support to be absolutely first class and without their assistance this project would have been considerably more challenging. Without Max Associates involvement I am convinced the project would not have run to the timetable and the council’s position would not have been as strong as it is.”

Jonathan Sewell
Guildford Borough Council

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