Did you know that Belgravia is more than just leisure? Belgravia Group is a dynamic, family-owned business founded by Geoff Lord across industries such as health and fitness, tourism, property, finance and more across Australia and New Zealand.
While Belgravia Leisure is where many of us make our mark in our communities, our group is bursting with many incredible business units you might not know of…yet!
That’s why we’re on a mission to introduce you to the amazing leaders behind them. This month we’re introducing you to Lauren St Clair, the CEO of Belgravia Academy, Belgravia’s Australian RTO for training and education.
Lauren St Clair joined Belgravia in July 2022 after a 30-year career in vocational education and training. Starting as the GM of RTO, Traineeships and Partnerships, Lauren was appointed CEO of Belgravia Academy in August 2023, shortly after Belgravia Activities and Partnerships was formed.
Lauren’s journey through varied industries, from banking and airlines to fire protection and refugee resettlement, has given her a wealth of experience.
“The leisure industry has its own challenges, but it’s been one of my preferred industries so far,” she says. “I’m an inquisitive person who enjoys learning new skills and knowledge and immersing myself in so many varied industries has been incredibly rewarding.”
Outside of work, Lauren describes herself as a bit of a nerd with a passion for history, archaeology and anthropology. On weekends you’ll find her in nature, whether it’s gardening with her pets or exploring parks, beaches and bushland with family and friends.
Empowering through education
Belgravia Academy is more than just an educational provider, it’s a cornerstone of Belgravia Group’s commitment to training and development. As an Enterprise Registered Training Organisation, the Academy delivers nationally recognised qualifications and short courses tailored to the unique roles within Belgravia.
“Our training covers areas such as Travel & Tourism, Hospitality & Wellness, Health & Safety, Aquatics and Inclusion,” Lauren explains. “Our team of expert trainers stays current in their fields, frequently collaborating with industry peak bodies to ensure our programs are relevant and impactful.”
The Academy’s reach extends beyond Belgravia’s team members, offering courses to external participants and customising training programs to suit the needs of various businesses. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills or bring training directly to your venue, Belgravia Academy is here to support your growth.
Exciting future projects
Lauren is enthusiastic about the Academy’s continuous evolution. “We’re always working on adding new training programs,” she says. Recently, the Aquatic Technical Operator program was added to the schedule which is a crucial certification for pool operators.
Additionally, the Academy is about to launch its fully online Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) program, designed to meet the licensing needs across Australia. “Once approved by Liquor Control Victoria, this program will be available for enrolment in the next couple of months,” Lauren said.
Trainees can enrol for free in the Academy’s Tourism Traineeships in New South Wales, thanks to government funding. These programs offer significant wage subsidies for employers, making them a great option for businesses looking to upskill their teams.
Looking ahead to 2025, Belgravia Academy plans to add Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation to its offerings, further expanding opportunities, so keep an eye out for those.
For more information, visit the Belgravia Academy website.
Stay tuned as we spotlight more of our incredible leaders and help you discover the heart of the Belgravia Group!
- Explore our career opportunities.
- Learn more about our people.
