EMD UK chief executive Ross Perriam has announced he will step down from his role in June 2019 – igniting a search for his replacement.

Perriam, who is leaving to become CEO of charity RAF Central Fund, first joined EMD UK – then named The Exercise Movement and Dance Partnership – in 2015.

He repositioned the organisation as EMD UK 2016 and increased its remit to grow participation in group exercise through training and supporting the fitness workforce.

“It has been an honour to work at EMD UK the past four years," Perriam said.

"We have made huge strides as an organisation and the important work we do for the sector will continue. I’d like to thank the EMD UK team, the board and Nigel Wallace, the chair, for their support and I look forward to seeing how EMD UK continues to grow participation in group exercise.”

Chair Nigel Wallace will step to help lead the organisation on an interim basis and will extend his duties to support the senior management team.

“It’s been great working with Ross and it’s inevitable that good people get good opportunities presented to them," Wallace said.

"Thanks to Ross and the team’s hard work we’re in a great place to attract the next leader of EMD UK in what is an incredibly exciting period of growth and opportunity for the organisation.”

The recruitment process for the new CEO has now begun. To learn more about the position, click here.

With funding and support from Sport England, EMD UK is committed to driving positive change within the industry and works with the public sector and organisations across the health and fitness sector to make group exercise an activity that is accessible for everyone.

Since 2016, one million more people are participating in group exercise, with nearly five million taking part on a weekly basis.