I’ve done lots of train journeys in my time at Spirit, but this train journey to London is a journey of mixed emotions.  I’m heading down to say goodbye to the team after 12 wonderful years at Spirit. I recall my first trip to meet the team as I took up my year-long secondment or secondment fail as I like to call it.

It’s hard to imagine it’s been 12 years since I joined Spirit. The longest time with any employer. During this time, I’ve been able to travel across the UK and meet many amazing people who do brilliant things in their communities through events, sport and physical activity, arts and culture and volunteering.

I joined Spirit to develop our Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy programme, so it feels like I’ve come full circle as I join the team at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as their Legacy Manager.

I have many fond Spirit memories to take with me. Thanks to Spirit, I was able to volunteer at the closing ceremony of Glasgow 2014, and got to sing and dance with Kylie Minogue on the Hampden pitch. Best night ever. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Because of Spirit I learned about the power of events and saw in action how events can bridge divides and bring people together. I was able to watch in awe at the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as disabled and non-disabled young people danced together in front of a global audience thanks to Spirit.

My time at Spirit meant I got to work closely with the sport and physical activity sector across the UK as I led on our work in reaching the least active. I was able to work with others who use sport and physical activity to bring about positive change for people and communities and make sport and physical activity welcoming and accessible to all. This approach to delivering sport has had a profound impact on me personally as I find myself now both working and volunteering in sport. Thanks to Spirit, I believe in the power of sport.

I always knew my time at Spirit would come to an end. We are a spend-out trust, closing at the end of December 2025.  We always thought of this as our superpower, as our small and mighty team took forward the legacy of London 2012.

I want to thank our awesome Board for all their support and trust over the years. Bringing them to Glasgow a couple of years ago was very special.

A big thanks to the Spirit team members past and present. You are the best and I count myself lucky to have worked beside you all.  A massive shout-out to our former Chief Executive, Debbie Lye, and current Chief Executive, Ruth Hollis, for taking a chance on me when setting up Spirit and for their faith, support and laughs ever since.

Thanks to Spirit, I feel ready to take up a new challenge at Glasgow 2026. You’ve prepared me well and I take much with me as I keep the Spirit alive elsewhere.

Thanks to all our partners from across the UK for an amazing 12 years.

I hope our paths cross again.

Alex Johnston