The Leisure Expert Panel (LEP) was formed to bring together stakeholders in the leisure industry to discuss health, safety, security and risk management. The panel aims to (1) reduce injury and loss risks in line with principles of safety and accountability, (2) promote consistency in operations and regulation, and (3) provide advice on legislation, standards and guidance to third parties. The LEP will meet quarterly and is open to operators, advisors and specialists in health clubs, hotels, entertainment venues and more.

1. Leisure Expert Panel Terms of Reference
February 2016
1. Background
The Leisure Expert Panel (LEP) has been formed to bring together the stakeholders and influencers
who hold interest in the way in which the leisure industry manages health, safety, security and risk and
whom will either be subject to scrutiny of its management systems or make decisions on liability (both
criminal and civil).
These persons will already be involved in performing a management, advisory, representative or
regulatory role within the leisure industry.
The formation of expert panels is supported by government and in February 2014 a joint statement was
issued by the Better Regulatory Delivery Office (BRDO), the Chartered Institute of Environmental
Health (CIEH) and the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) identifying the need for a partnership approach
of their regulatory professions to support and empower expert panels.
2. Scope
For the purpose of the LEP, ‘leisure’ is defined as:
- Health & Fitness Clubs and Leisure Centres
- Hotels and Holiday Parks
- Pubs, Bars, Restaurants, Nightclubs and Cafes
- Visitor Attractions (e.g. theme parks, museums)
- Sporting Activity organisations
- Venues (e.g. cinemas, theatres, ten-pin bowling)
3. Purpose
The aims of the LEP are to:
3.1 Consider and promote ways to reduce the risk of injury and loss within the leisure industry in line
with the principles set out in Section 4.
3.2 Promote consistency in operations and regulation.
3.3 Actively discuss risk concerns raised principally by Panel members and speculate potential
solutions.
3.4 Gather, collate and analyse member data.
3.5 Provide collective advice on, and interpretation of, existing and new legislation, industry standards
and guidance to third parties as appropriate.
3.6 Establish Working Groups to work on specific projects and draw in other relevant individuals for
advice and report back to the Panel.
The initial Working Groups (as at Jan 2016) are:
- RIDDOR guidance (Chairperson Toby Thorp)
- Slips, Trips & Falls (Chairperson Phil Bamford)
- Saunas (Chairperson Darren Hicks)
- Data (Chairperson David Walker)
- Gym Staffing (Chairperson Darren Hicks)

2. 4. Principles
In undertaking the above Purpose, the LEP will follow these principles:
4.1 The Panel does not hold any accountability however will endeavour to ensure that professional
standards are maintained by meeting the requirements of individual and industry professional
memberships and affiliations.
4.2 The Panel will only share information generated by the Panel with a wider audience if the methods
and content are agreed by a majority of members (not all members have to agree but information
will clearly list members who do support methods and content).
4.3 Members shall not use the LEP to solicit business for commercial gain.
4.4 Members shall be open, collaborative and willing to share data (confidentially).
4.5 No activity can be made completely risk-free and that the appropriate level of risk for a leisure
activity will likely be a balance between the self-reliance of the individual participant and
management interventions.
4.6 Both the benefits and costs of leisure activities are taken into account when making the balanced
judgement of whether risks are acceptable or further risk control measures are necessary.
4.7 Where no clear legal / recognised / accepted industry standard already exists for an activity or risk,
the Panel will consider the precautionary principle, as well as positive evidence to the contrary.
4.8 Risks imposed on customers, guests or spectators, and over which they have little or no
awareness or control, can only be accepted if they are very low.
4.9 Vulnerable adults at risk and children’s risk perception skills will not be fully developed and people
taking part in similar activities will accept different levels of risk, and this must be accounted for.
4.10 In communicating findings, advice or decisions, the Panel will decide the appropriate means of
communication depending upon the target audience.
4.11 Where risk concerns or standards are being discussed this may involve a subset working group of
the Panel. The make-up of any working group shall reflect the need to meet these principles.
5. Membership
5.1 Membership is free and is open to operators, advisers or specialists in the leisure industry in the
following categories:
- Leisure Operators
- Trade Associations
- Legal Practitioners
- Insurance, H&S and Risk Management
- Regulators
Details of current members can be found in Appendix A.
5.2 New members can be referred by any existing member, with final agreement by the LEP Steering
Group.
5.3 Members will meet quarterly. If a member is not able to attend a meeting, they can nominate an
individual from within their organisation who fulfils a similar role by contacting the Chairperson.
5.4 An agenda will be prepared by the Chairperson and circulated to the Panel for agreement or
amendment in advance of each meeting.
5.5 Minutes detailing decisions, actions, responsibilities and timescales will be recorded and
distributed to all Panel members by the Chairperson following each meeting.

3. 5.6 Attendance to Panel meetings indicates acceptance to operate within the scope of these Terms of
Reference.
5.7 Members shall make their company logos available to the Panel.
5.8 Members may use the LEP logo with agreement from the Chairperson.
5.9 If a member wishes to cease their participation in the LEP, they should notify the Chairperson in
writing.
5.10 If a member would like a guest to attend or present to the LEP, the member must contact the
Chairperson in advance of a meeting.
5.11 Members can join any of the Working Groups by approaching the Chairperson of the Working
Group.
6. Governance
6.1 The LEP will be led by a Steering Group and chaired by a member of the Steering Group.
6.2 The Steering Group will contain at least one representative from each of the membership
categories above, except Leisure Operators where there shall be at least two representatives.
6.3 For a period of 24 months (until 31/12/17) the Steering Group will be made up of the founder
members of the LEP:
Darren Hicks, Chiltern Consulting – CHAIRPERSON
Phil Bamford, Aviva
Jan Francis, Serco
Ruth Hollins, Center Parcs
Darren Holmes, Willis Towers Watson
Katie Maycock, Willis Towers Watson
Danny McShee, Kennedy’s
Toby Thorp, City of London EHO
David Walker, RoSPA
After that date a nomination and voting process will be held to elect the Steering Group (including
the Chairperson).
6.4 A member of the Steering Group will chair each Working Group.
6.5 The Steering Group will meet quarterly.
6.6 The Steering Group will provide a report to members within a given 12 month period on key issues
and progress.
6.7 In the event of the LEP being dissolved, the IP and any assets will be held in trust by RoSPA.
7. Confidentiality
7.1 Information discussed or disclosed in Panel meetings will not be transferred to any third party or
used in any way by any Panel member to gain commercial advantage.
7.2 Information and documents compiled, circulated and generated by the Panel can be disclosed if
agreed in advance by the Chairperson.
7.3 Any data obtained by the Panel to develop or support its work can only be used or communicated
outside of the Panel with prior agreement of the data owner (for example accident data).

4. APPENDIX A
Current members (as at Feb 2016) are:
Leisure Operators: Virgin Active, Center Parcs, Serco Leisure, Pure Gym, Marriott Hotels,
Greenwich Leisure Limited, Energie Fitness, Village Urban Resorts, Pure Leisure Group, Team
Sport, Saracens RFU, Merlin Entertainments, Virgin Limited Edition, Moto Hospitality, Jersey
Leisure, European Corporate Wellbeing
Trade Associations: UK Active, CIMSPA, CIEH, RoSPA, BH&HPA
Legal Practitioners: Kennedy’s, DWF, Hill Dickinson
Insurance, H&S and Risk Management: Willis Towers Watson, Locktons, Sportscover, Aviva,
Liberty, QBE, Right Directions, RDHS Limited, Chiltern Consulting, XL Catlin
Regulators: City of London EHO, Royal Borough of Greenwich EHO, Eastleigh EHO, Better
Regulatory Delivery Office, London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority, Health & Safety
Executive