LED Community Leisure (LED) has announced the retirement of their long-serving chief executive, Peter Gilpin.

Starting with LED in March 2010, Peter oversaw LED through the turbulent times in 2019, Peter has overseen growth in the organisation, a charitable not-for profit trust that runs all East Devon District Council’s leisure facilities.

LED has facilitated over £5 million of capital investment in the council's facilities, including a £2.5 million refurbishment of Exmouth Leisure Centre, initiated, funded, and delivered by LED and match funded by the National Lottery.

During Peter’s tenure, LED’s private businesses (managed through LED Enterprise) have expanded including the acquisition and transformation of Ocean, on Exmouth seafront, opened two of its own fitness gyms in Seaton and Axminster, and more recently taking on the management of all the catering outlets at Exeter Airport.

Asked about his time with LED, Peter said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my 14 years with LED and am proud of what the trust has achieved in that time, which would not have been possible without the tremendous support I have had from my board and outstanding staff teams.

"I am particularly proud of our award-winning community engagement and outreach work. I know we are having a significant impact in providing a broader health and wellbeing service to the residents of East Devon.

"Undoubtably the greatest challenge has been steering the organisation through the COVID pandemic. This would not have been possible without the support of the Council, its officers and members, my board and management team, and particularly our customers, many of whom voluntarily continued to pay their membership subscriptions throughout the various lockdowns and closures.

"With LED now stable and even out-performing pre-pandemic levels of membership and attendances, I feel that the time is right to step down and let my successor, Olly Swayne, pick up the reins and continue to drive LED forward

"I wish him, LED’s Board and management team and the Council all the best and look forward to supporting them as a keen customer!”

On behalf of the board, chair Richard Purchase said; “Recognising that partnership working was the key to successful leisure provision was inspired and LED was an early adopter of many new and innovative ways of providing services under Peter’s leadership.

"He has forged sustaining relationships with a whole range of organisations, not least our key partner, East Devon District Council.

"We will be forever grateful for his vision and drive. I and the whole Board wish Peter a long and happy retirement.”