Chris Rees

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CHRIS REES

Father first. Founder second. Swimmer. Runner. Builder.I’m building a life — and businesses — that go the distance.Every week, thousands of people move through programmes and events we’ve built.At 18, I started a single-pool swim school.Today, that idea has grown into a multi-site operation teaching thousands of swimmers every week and expanding through acquisition and partnership across the UK.Alongside this, I lead large-scale participation events — including the ABP Southampton Marathon — welcoming runners annually and raising millions for charity.My focus is simple:The UK doesn’t need more elite sport.It needs more people starting.That’s the game we’re playing.So we build programmes, events and partnerships that remove the barriers to entry — whether that’s a child learning to swim, or an adult standing on their first start line.What We Do:• Scale swim schools to reach more communities• Deliver events that get thousands to their first start line• Build pathways into lifelong sport• Train instructors and develop programmes• Partner with venues to activate underused facilities• Create lifelong engagement in sportWhy It Matters:Physical literacy is declining.Confidence in sport is dropping.Facilities are underutilised.We bridge that gap — commercially and socially.I believe participation sport is the UK’s most underdeveloped infrastructure — and one of its biggest opportunities. I work with:• Swim school owners considering exit or partnership• Local authorities & leisure operators• Brands wanting authentic participation reach• Event partners looking to grow mass engagementIf you’re building something — or want to be part of it — let’s connect.