Draft:Michael Lally
| Submission declined on 15 September 2025 by Paul W (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. The content of this submission includes material that does not meet Wikipedia's minimum standard for inline citations. Please cite your sources using footnotes. For instructions on how to do this, please see Referencing for beginners. Thank you.
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Comment: Article mainly reliant upon promotional marketing/PR content - not independent or reliable. No significant coverage about Michael Lally (as opposed to the boat club). Numerous assertions are unsupported by inline citations. Paul W (talk) 08:07, 15 September 2025 (UTC)
Michael Lally (born May 1986) is a Scottish entrepreneur and business leader who is the founder and managing director of Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond,[1] part of the world's largest members-only boating network. He introduced and expanded the Freedom Boat Club model in Scotland, transforming traditional boating into an accessible, membership-based experience.
Early life and education
[edit]Michael Lally was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland.[citation needed] Details about his early education and formative years remain private, though his later ventures suggest a strong foundation in business strategy, hospitality, and leisure management.[according to whom?]
Career
[edit]Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond
[edit]In 2022, Lally founded Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond, bringing the U.S.-based boating franchise to Scotland for the first time.[2] His vision was to democratise boating by removing the barriers of ownership—such as cost, maintenance, and storage—and replacing them with a flexible, subscription-based model.[citation needed]
Under his leadership, the club quickly gained traction, offering individual, family, and corporate memberships. Members enjoy access to a fleet of premium vessels and benefit from reciprocal privileges at over 430+ Freedom Boat Club locations worldwide.[citation needed]
Business expansion and partnerships
[edit]Lally also serves as director of several related entities, including Loch Lomond Boat Club Ltd and Lally Leisure Group Ltd. His ventures emphasise experiential leisure, strategic hospitality, and international business engagement.[citation needed]
In 2025, Lally hosted a high-profile delegation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, including Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, to foster UK–US business ties through corporate boating experiences.[citation needed] The event showcased Scotland's leisure assets and positioned Freedom Boat Club as a platform for global networking and tourism development.[citation needed]
Leadership and philosophy
[edit]Lally is known for his customer-centric approach, emphasising feedback-driven service design and inclusive access to leisure.[citation needed] He has spoken publicly about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the boating industry, aiming to make the water a welcoming space for all.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Michael Lally resides in Glasgow, Scotland and maintains active roles in multiple leisure and hospitality ventures. He is married to Ashlee Lally, who co-hosts many of the club’s events and initiatives.
References
[edit]- ^ Evertise (2025-08-28). "Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond Enhances UK–US Trade Relations with Oklahoma Delegation Visit". Business. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
- ^ "New boat club for Loch Lomond will 'revolutionise how people access boating'". The Herald. 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
- ^ Gretzel, Ulrike (March 2025). "The many questions concerning technology: Implications for tourism, hospitality, events and leisure research". Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 62: 232–236. doi:10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.01.016. ISSN 1447-6770.