2007 - THE BEGINNING
Perform Better UK was established by Alastair Yule and Mark Gladwin and moved into a small industrial unit in Southam, Warwickshire with one part time member of staff.
Perform Better were immediately appointed UK Distributors for Microgate products, Activio Heart Rate systems, Prism Fitness and Compex EMS systems. The first eight page Perform Better catalogue was produced pre-season. Later in 2007 Perform Better were appointed UK Distributors for Catapult Sports and the GymAware Power Testing system – the Distributor that Catapult appoint outside of Australia for both companies. With these two new product ranges, Perform Better appointed their first Sport Scientist to join the team.
2009 Installations & Large Brands
Perform Better’s 3rd annual catalogue launched, which was a significant expansion of the Strength and Conditioning range, plus the addition of Keiser and Woodway ranges.
This coincided with PB’s first major S & C installations at Manchester City FC, Chelsea FC, Blackburn Rovers FC and the ECB National Performance Centre.
2011 - SHOWROOM & OVERSEAS
Perform Better expanded into the adjoining premises doubling their space; which included a fully functioning showroom.
Perform Better were one of the first suppliers to use the unique EC Design 3D software for gym design. The largest installation to date was carried out at Parc Eirias Welsh Rugby Union Regional Training facility in North Wales and the first overseas installation was carried out at Al Ahli FC in Dubai.
2013 - GROWTH & SPEED
Perform Better were appointed as European distributors for Run Rocket from the USA and start distributing Eleiko discs and bars.
The PB team expands to 10 employees.
Large installations are carried out at Swansea City FC’s new training ground, Reading FC, Manchester United FC and Burnley FC. Perform Better launch their social media platform on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.
2015 DESIGN & PRESTIGE
Perform Better become Catapult’s official UK referral partner after they set up their European offices in Leeds, which sees the two businesses working closer together to develop the UK market.
Additional prestigious installations are carried out at Manchester Institute of Health & Performance, Southampton FC’s new training ground, Wolves FC and Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby.
2016 - FORCE & EUROS
Perform Better moved to new 12,000sq ft warehouse and office complex in Southam. Perform Better are appointed UK Distributor for ForceDecks Force Platforms.
Perform Better produced their first dedicated Strength catalogue to complement the main catalogue.
Completed installations at Oriam Scotland National Performance Centre, England Golf, Burnley FC new training ground and temporary gyms for the England, Wales and Republic of Ireland Football Teams at the Euros in France. Become Official Referral partners in the UK for Catapult Sports.
2017 - WINNERS & GUNNERS
Perform Better win two Business Awards – the Coventry and Warwickshire Small Business of the Year Award and Enterprising Business of the Year.
Perform Better launch their first dedicated flooring catalogue.
Perform Better awarded the contract to fully equip the new Arsenal Football Club training facility.
2018 - PHYSIO & WORLD CUPS
Perform Better were appointed Official Suppliers to St. George’s Park National Football Centre, which included fully re-equipping the S & C facility and supplying a pop-up gym at the England Team Hotel in Russia for the 2018 World Cup.
Also appointed Official Supplier to the Matt Hampson Foundation Get Healthy Living! Centre.
Perform Better launch their new Physiotherapy range and catalogue and are appointed UK Distributors for Vald Performance.
The Perform Better team grew to 18 members.
2019 - TRIES & OVERTAKES
Perform Better were chosen to design and install the new S & C facility at the National Performance Centre for the Welsh Rugby Union Teams.
Also appointed as Official Performance Partners to Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s.
In addition, the team were awarded the contract to fully equip two facilities for Mercedes AMG in Brackley and Brixworth.
PB are appointed UK Distributor for 1080 Motion and Exxentric from Sweden, as well as Avantopool from Finland. PB awarded Best Global Partner by Microgate.
2020 - PANDEMICS & PARTNERSHIPS
Perform Better team reaches 20 employees and add two more delivery vans to the fleet to a total of five.
Perform Better are appointed as Official Fitness Supplier to England Netball.
Awarded contracts to fit out the new Training Grounds for Leicester City Football Club and Reading Football Club plus new gym projects at Manchester United FC Academy, Sheffield United FC Academy, Burnley FC Academy, Preston North End FC and Nottingham Forest FC.
In addition, with the Covid restrictions, a lot of leading Premier League players requested PB to set up home gyms for them.
Perform Better announce a record year despite the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2021 - SUPERLEAGUE & CARBON FOOTPRINTS
Perform Better are appointed as the Official Fitness Supplier to the Vitality Netball Superleague for the unique 2021 season. Providing all 11 teams with warm up/cool down facilities at the centralised venues in Wakefield and London.
Perform Better donated 220 trees to be planted in the Brecon Beacons by community charity organisation Stump Up For Trees. The donation equates to counteracting the carbon impact of all Perform Better’s vehicles, including their fleet of company cars and delivery vans.
Key football installations completed by Team PB including Leicester City FC, Reading FC, Bristol City FC and Manchester United Women FC.
2022 - HOME AND AWAY
Having previously been selected to equip a pop-up gym at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, Perform Better were again appointed to equip the England Football Gym for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 with the team making it to the quarter finals. Back home there were more gym fit outs for Football Clubs including Sunderland FC, Blackpool FC, Morecombe FC amongst others.
Team PB were also selected again by Oriam National Sports Performance Centre in Edinburgh to fully refurbish the Performance S&C gym having previously equipped it when the facility first opened in 2016.
In addition, Perform Better started working closely with Red Bull to provide equipment and facilities for their sponsored athletes, and signed an exclusive 3 year contract as Performance Partner for the Rosslyn Park National Schools Rugby 7s.
2023 - DOWNUNDER, GEORGIA AND THE CLASS OF 92
More large, exciting overseas projects were carried out in 2023 with the Blacktown Centre of Training Excellence in Sydney, Australia and the National Performance Centre for Georgia Rugby in Tblisi.
At home more new training ground projects with Queens Park Rangers FC and Southampton FC plus the new Scotland Football Performance Centre in Glasgow.
Perform Better were also awarded the contract to design and supply two new facilities for University Academy 92 in Manchester which is owned by Gary Neville and the Class of 92.
Sales & Marketing
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Mark Gladwin
Director & Co-Founder
Having started in the sports industry at the original Wembley Stadium back in 1987, Mark has a huge wealth of experience and contacts. A passionate Welsh rugby fan, Mark follows most sports and can be found enjoying sport from the terraces rather than the pitch these days.
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Alastair Yule
Director & Co-Founder
With a Sports degree from Leeds Beckett University and over 25 years' experience in the sports industry, Alastair is a well-known and trusted contact who has managed some of the large projects Perform Better have been awarded. A true Yorkshireman and family man- Alastair is a Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos fan.
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Adam Sharp
Elite Sports Sales Manager – UK South
Adam joined the team in 2023 post Rugby World Cup, bringing 20 years of experience within the sports performance industry with him. Outside of Perform Better, Adam holds an integral role with England Rugby, assisting with facilitation of a performance environment during all campaigns. Adam and his family enjoy sports together and you’ll catch him participating in the odd triathlon every once in a while.
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James Metcalfe
Regional Sales Manager, North
James recently joined Perform Better from the University of Hull, where he is completing a clinical PhD in exercise oncology. He holds both an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, and a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, and is an accredited S&C coach. In the evenings, James is the Head of S&C for the Scholarship programme at Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club.
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Zoe Marrocco
Regional Sales Manager – South, Education Sector
Zoe joined Perform Better in January 2019 in the sales administration team and is now part of the external sales team. Zoe has a background in playing football and coaching a girls' football team. She is a regular gym goer and spends her weekends hiking, running, and with friends and family.
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Beth Hopkins
Senior Marketing Executive
Beth joined the team in 2024 as our senior marketing executive. Beth has experience from various different industries and completed a degree in Business and Marketing Management at the Open University alongside her first marketing job. As an outdoorsy person Beth will often be found playing football or exploring new places with her young family and cockapoo, Lola.
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Luke Padmore
Sales & Marketing Administrator
Luke joined the team in September 2023 and has a degree in Digital Marketing Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University. As a previous fullback when playing rugby, he understands the complexities involved in teamwork. Luke also often does fitness training and enjoys experiencing new places around the world.
Office & Installation
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Steve Edwards
Director of Finance and Operations
Steve joined the company in 2017 from a multinational organisation. Having a strong background in IT, Purchasing and Finance, Steve is responsible for back office operations in these areas. Chartered through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and a member of the Institute of Directors, Steve brings a wealth of all round business experience.
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Darren Saul
Operations Manager
Darren joined Perform Better in 2015 as an experienced Sales Administrator. Since then he's been part of the purchasing team and now manages the day to day operations of PB. Although injuries prevent Darren from playing these days, he loves all sports and keeps the office updated on every aspect of sporting news. As a Season Ticket Holder, it's Sky Blues all the way for Darren and his love of Coventry City FC.
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Archie Walker
Operations Assistant
Archie joined the team in 2024 helping with the overall operations at PB and assisting the installations team. Archie is a regular gym goer and a keen sportsman, loving all sports but especially cricket. Having ran his own small business previously Archie has a huge passion for the fitness industry and a keen eye for detail.
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Joe Evans
Installation & Servicing Manager
Joe joined team PB in 2021. He is always on the go and can often be found out on the road helping with installations. When Joe isn’t travelling around in the PB van he can be found helping out the team in the warehouse. As a big family man, Joe enjoys spending time out and about with his family and can often be found watching his favourite football team West Bromwich Albion.
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Alex French
Purchasing Assistant
Alex joined the Perform Better team in 2023 as our purchasing assistant. An enthusiastic football fan, Alex also coaches a successful Sunday League team and coached football in the US prior to joining Perform Better. Outside of football Alex enjoys playing rugby, taking on skipper of his team and enjoys socialising with friends.
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Paul Caruana
Warehouse & Installation Assistant
Paul has been with us since the beginning, and is one of our longest serving members of staff. Paul is always busy, and tends to split his time between helping out in the warehouse and assisting with installations and deliveries. Outside of work he's a dedicated runner, and has completed multiple marathons.
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Dave Shirley
Warehouse & Installation Assistant
Dave joined the Perform Better team in October 2018, he is the DJ of the warehouse team, taking control of the airways when it comes to the music. Dave is an avid Chelsea FC fan, and a keen footballer himself, as a coach at Southam United FC.
