TGt Meets... Max Wilshaw

In our latest 'TGt Meets', we've been speaking to Max Wilshaw, General Manager at Oasis Leisure Centre, all about his job role and working and living in Swindon!

How did you come to work for Oasis Leisure Centre and tell us a little bit about your role?

I’ve been in leisure for over 16 years now, and was always based in Bristol prior to moving here and working for GLL in April. As colleagues go, I’m the new one here at the centre which is exciting and I hope to bring a fresh approach to the management team here. I saw the advert and have always been aware of the Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre, which is why it caught my eye. The Leisure pool is a facility that I previously used when I was a child and I remember loving the experience. The slides, and wave machine were my particular highlights. To be clear and concise I manage the centre, with my team and our aim is to ensure that everyone enjoys the centre as much as possible and has an opportunity to be active doing something they enjoy.

What do you think makes the Oasis Leisure Centre stand out from its competitors?

The Leisure pool for sure is the major pull I believe and so it should be. The services we provide now with our on site Coffee Corner café means that families can come here for the day and enjoy a day out together.  Our gym is a fantastic space where we believe we can grow, and again ensure that our loyal customers have an area which gives them different opportunities to try new activities and fitness classes to be able to get active.

What is your favourite facility at Oasis Leisure Centre?

My personal favourite has to be the domebusters, the 3 slides which you climb up the tower to access. They have always been and still are! If my kids were to answer that they might say the pirate ship or the wave machine!

What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

Helping other colleagues with their own progression throughout leisure and getting people active at our better centres. I also enjoy overcoming problems and building new processes to manage all the different areas of the business.

How do you like to spend your time off?

I’m a huge Tottenham fan, so I dedicate my Saturdays and Sundays to following them and checking the scores. I enjoy playing sports; badminton, and 5-a-side are my top sports along with swimming. I’m a proud father and partner, so the rest of my time is spent with my family and doing lots of activities with them to ensure they sleep well at night!

Describe Swindon in 3 words...

(Better) Oasis Leisure Centre

You have a meeting booked that suddenly gets cancelled, giving you a few hours to yourself in Swindon – what do you do?

Go for a swim and then go to the Swindon Outlet village for some bargains!

What have been your key challenges and how have you overcome them?

My biggest challenge was always being delayed in progressing in leisure in Bristol. I was desperate to progress, but I was young, inexperienced and my manager at the time did everything she could to ensure I had an opportunity to learn and better myself. You work hard, and become relentless in your working ways and things begin to fall into place. Listen, react and focus on the job in hand and you can do anything.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Becoming multi-site General Manager for 2 Better Leisure Centres in Swindon without a doubt. And, making a family that our proud of me and being proud of them.

What are your plans for Oasis Leisure Centre for the future?

There is some much going on, all I can say is that people need to keep an eye on our social media channels, and website to ensure that they stay in touch with all the work that is going on behind the scene to make the Oasis the best destination in the south west to visit for their leisure pool experience.

Find out more about what Oasis Leisure Centre has to offer here.