MDL's M.D. named among UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021

Michael Glanville, Managing Director of MDL Marinas Group has been named as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021.

The programme, which is supported by The Times and now in its fourth year, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.

Despite the challenges of the last 18 months, the Top 50 received a record number of nominations; more than 600 proving that ambition is alive and well.

The featured Top 50 hail from every corner of the country and operate across a diverse range of sectors. Collectively, they employ more than 9,500 people and contribute more than £1.2bn to the UK economy.

Joining us 15 years ago, Michael worked across several of our marinas and departments before taking charge of the whole marina group in 2018.

I had a vision for how the business should look in five years’ time,” he says. “The business may be 45 years old, but it’s my ambition to keep MDL at the forefront of innovation.

We're the UK’s leading marina and water-based leisure provider and one of Europe’s largest marina groups. Established in 1973, we've developed a portfolio of 20 marinas and boatyards which provide over 7,000 berths in the UK and Spain. Then, through a partnership unmatched by any other operator, we added an additional 150 European destinations for our customers to enjoy.

We not only operates marinas, but are also landlord to over 500 business tenants, ranging from restaurants and bars to retail outlets, offices and workshops.

We've recently expanded with the addition of two idyllic holiday parks to our portfolio, offering waterside holidays in luxury lodge and holiday park accommodation. Brand new to us, MDL Fitness is a range of green gyms where the fitness equipment converts human kinetic energy into electricity.

“I am honoured to be one of this year’s LDC Top 50,” continues Michael. “I am so proud of what the business, supported by a dedicated team, has achieved over the last 18 months. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a loyal and supportive customer base and I am looking forward to welcoming many more to join our marinas and explore our newest most innovative products.”

LDC’s John Garner adds: “The last 18 months have presented challenges that none of us could have foreseen, but despite everything, it’s fantastic to see that so many business leaders have achieved remarkable things. Through their resourcefulness and resilience, this year’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders prove that the flame of ambition is hard to extinguish. Congratulations to all those featured and we look forward to seeing their continued success and impact, and contribution to the broader UK economy.

You can find out more information on this year’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme at this link.