From humble beginnings as a mushroom picker to pioneering the UK's largest leisure development partner, Sarah Watts embodies what it means to build with purpose, lead with heart, and innovate with integrity.

In her conversation on the Love Your Career podcast, Sarah shares a story that is equal parts fearless entrepreneurship and soulful leadership. After a leap of faith 25 years ago—armed with nothing more than £30,000 from her mortgage and a vision—Sarah founded Alliance Leisure. What began as a funding vehicle has now transformed into a half-billion-pound enterprise reshaping public sector leisure across the UK.

But what truly sets Sarah apart isn’t just scale—it’s soul.

Sarah speaks with a warmth and honesty that’s rare in any industry. She admits she couldn’t read a balance sheet when she started. She jokes that her understanding of "bottom line" was more underwear than EBITDA. And yet, through authenticity and an unrelenting focus on impact, she’s built an organisation that champions wellness, accessibility, and long-term community value.

Her people-first culture is more than talk. At Alliance, directors and cleaners get the same bonus. Her longest-serving team member has been with her for over 23 years. Team parties include everyone. And when someone new joins, they’re not just welcomed—they're absorbed into a culture that values integrity, growth, and laughter (three jokes and an accent are standard interview prep).

Sarah is also refreshingly strategic. She hires two years ahead of need. She nurtures future leaders. She listens, learns, and surrounds herself with people better than her (her words, not ours). She understands that longevity in business is earned by delivering consistently, honouring relationships, and leading with integrity.

She says, “Do a great job, and the money will follow.” That’s not a slogan. It’s how she’s built a business that now gets calls from councils rather than needing to chase them.

From flywheel momentum to the importance of decarbonisation, and from CV tips to honest career advice (“Don’t expect it to happen overnight. Times it by three.”), Sarah delivers a masterclass in business, leadership, and legacy.

She is, quite simply, industry royalty—not because she says so, but because everyone else does.