{"id":25325,"date":"2025-06-16T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=25325"},"modified":"2025-06-16T10:35:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T09:35:57","slug":"activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018activ Connections\u2019 Launches for BFA National Franchise Week: Wellbeing, Featuring Inspirational Guest Lloyd Martin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/#from-track-to-tech-the-story-behind-activ-connections\" >From Track to Tech: The Story Behind activ Connections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/#strong-partnerships-fuel-growth-and-community-impact\" >Strong Partnerships Fuel Growth and Community Impact<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/#franchise-ready-wellness-innovation\" >Franchise-Ready Wellness Innovation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/#special-guest-lloyd-martin-inspires-movement-and-connection\" >Special Guest Lloyd Martin Inspires Movement and Connection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/activ-connections-launches-for-bfa-national-franchise-week-wellbeing-featuring-inspirational-guest-lloyd-martin\/#event-details-%e2%80%93-launch\" >Event Details \u2013 Launch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>activ Marketing is proud to launch activ Connections, a franchise-led initiative that brings together physical wellbeing, mental health, and purposeful business networking.<\/p>\n<p>The first activ Connections run will take place on Monday 14th July 2025 at 12:30pm from the activ HQ in Cardiff. The monthly group run offers a fresh, informal approach to networking, encouraging professionals to connect while moving through nature, away from the traditional boardroom setting.<\/p>\n<p>Announced in support of The BFA National Franchise Week: Wellbeing and aligned with the association\u2019s MOVE campaign in collaboration with Cinder, activ Connections will begin in Cardiff and roll out across the wider activ franchise network in the months ahead.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cAs a proud BFA member, we\u2019re always looking for ways to lead by example, and activ Connections is our way of putting the MOVE initiative into action,\u201d<\/em><br \/>\n<em><strong>says Katie Bullon, CEO of activ Marketing.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThis started as an employee-led idea and quickly grew into something we knew we could replicate across our franchise territories. It\u2019s about connecting people for business growth, whilst looking after mental health, and offering something that feels and does good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"from-track-to-tech-the-story-behind-activ-connections\"><\/span><strong>From Track to Tech: The Story Behind activ Connections<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Born from within the Cardiff HQ, the concept was spearheaded by Tom Marley, activ\u2019s Head of Tech and a former semi-professional 800-metre runner, multiple Welsh champion, and British Universities Champion (2010).<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cRunning has always been a reset button for me,\u201d<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>says Tom Marley.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI wanted to bring that same sense of clarity and community into the workplace, and activ\u2019s franchise model is the perfect way to scale it across the UK.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"strong-partnerships-fuel-growth-and-community-impact\"><\/span><strong>Strong Partnerships Fuel Growth and Community Impact<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>activ Connections has earned the support of Run Wales, the Welsh Athletics-backed social running programme focused on making running accessible to all communities. Together, activ and Run Wales have developed the format for rollout through the franchise partner network.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe\u2019re excited to support activ Connections as a shining example of how running can promote wellbeing, inclusivity and connection,\u201d<\/em><br \/>\n<strong><em>said a spokesperson from Run Wales.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIt\u2019s exactly the kind of grassroots idea that has the potential to make a real impact, not just in Wales, but across the country.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"franchise-ready-wellness-innovation\"><\/span><strong>Franchise-Ready Wellness Innovation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With over 60,000 self-employed marketers in the UK, and a rising focus on wellness in business, activ Marketing continues to innovate what it means to run a people-first franchise.<\/p>\n<p>As part of its franchise support system, activ will offer training, branding assets, and launch guidance for franchise partners who wish to run activ Connections in their local territory. It\u2019s a standout initiative that reflects the franchisor\u2019s commitment to balancing business growth with community impact.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"special-guest-lloyd-martin-inspires-movement-and-connection\"><\/span><strong>Special Guest Lloyd Martin Inspires Movement and Connection<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The launch event will feature Lloyd Martin, the Guinness World Record holder and inspirational athlete. At 20, Lloyd became the youngest participant with Down\u2019s syndrome to complete a marathon, a record he earned at 19. Having run multiple prestigious events, including the London and New York marathons and the Cardiff Half, Lloyd\u2019s participation embodies the spirit of movement and resilience.<\/p>\n<p>Lloyd\u2019s story perfectly aligns with the BFA National Franchise Week: Wellbeing\u2019s focus on wellbeing and inclusion, inspiring franchisees and community members alike to get moving and connect.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"event-details-%e2%80%93-launch\"><\/span><strong>Event Details \u2013 Launch<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Location: activ Marketing Head Office, Womanby Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BR<\/li>\n<li>Date: Monday 14th July 2025<\/li>\n<li>Time: 12:30pm (1 Hour)<\/li>\n<li>Free to join \u2013 open to all professionals working in Cardiff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Monthly runs will be led by the activ Head Office Cardiff team and, in time, by local franchisees in cities across the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>activ Marketing is proud to launch activ Connections, a franchise-led initiative that brings together physical wellbeing, mental health, and purposeful business networking. The first activ Connections run will take place on Monday 14th July 2025 at 12:30pm from the activ HQ in Cardiff. The monthly group run offers a fresh, informal approach to networking, encouraging [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":25326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1586,1552],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-activ-digital","category-sales-marketing"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Picture1-1.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}