Swimming pool industry voice: Jaime Ramírez on pools as catalysts for community life
–––––
SWIMMING POOL INDUSTRY VOICE
Jaime Ramírez in conversation with Paty Abreu at the Pool Horizons Summit Barcelona 2025
Jaime Ramírez, CEO of Fluidra, brings international experience across consumer and industrial sectors, with a track record of building teams and scaling operations across regions. Before joining Fluidra in 2024, he held senior leadership roles at Stanley Black & Decker Inc., working across Latin America and global divisions, and today also serves on the Board of Kimberly-Clark.
Jaime combines a global perspective with a clear, grounded way of thinking - and a willingness to challenge how we talk about the role of aquatic spaces in society.
Jaime, you’ve spent much of your career leading global businesses. What has surprised you about the pool industry since you joined it?
What has surprised me most is how underestimated this industry is.
From the outside, many people see swimming pools purely as leisure infrastructure. But when you look more closely, you realise that pools sit at the intersection of health, urban life, sustainability, technology and community.
They are far more relevant to society than we often acknowledge. I have also been impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise across the ecosystem - from manufacturers and engineers to builders and operators. This is an industry full of passionate people who genuinely care about creating spaces that bring joy, wellbeing and connection.
At the same time, I see enormous untapped potential. The opportunity for us now is to elevate the conversation, to position aquatic spaces not just as products or facilities, but as meaningful contributors to healthier, more resilient communities.
What do you believe is the social value of swimming pools?
Swimming pools are places where life happens. They are where children learn confidence, where families reconnect, where older generations maintain mobility and health. In many communities, pools are one of the few spaces where people from different backgrounds share the same environment on equal terms.
Beyond recreation, aquatic activity plays a fundamental role in public health. Swimming is one of the most inclusive forms of exercise - accessible across ages and physical conditions. In a world facing rising sedentary lifestyles and mental health challenges, that matters enormously. But the social value goes further. Pools can anchor neighbourhood regeneration, support local employment, and create safe environments for social interaction. When thoughtfully designed and responsibly managed, they become catalysts for community life.
That is why initiatives like Pool Horizons are so important - they help us articulate and strengthen this broader impact.
What role do you see aquatic spaces playing in the life of a neighbourhood?
Aquatic spaces can be powerful community connectors.
In many neighbourhoods, especially in urban environments, we lack places where people can gather in a healthy, positive setting. Pools and aquatic centres can fill that gap. They offer a space for movement, for learning, for celebration and for belonging.
They can also become symbols of local pride - well-designed, sustainable facilities that reflect a community’s commitment to quality of life.
Importantly, aquatic spaces can support social cohesion. Swimming lessons improve safety and confidence. Community programmes bring generations together. Public facilities can ensure access beyond income level.
If we think of neighbourhoods as ecosystems, pools can act as both social and physical infrastructure - improving wellbeing while strengthening community bonds.
As the conversation around swimming pools evolves, what do you think the swimming pool ecosystem needs to focus on next?
We need to lead the conversation on responsibility and innovation.
Water and energy are precious resources. Climate change, urbanisation and demographic shifts demand that we rethink how aquatic spaces are designed, built and operated. The industry must continue advancing in efficiency, circularity and smart technologies.
But sustainability is not only environmental - it is also social. We must ensure access, safety and inclusion. We must promote water safety education globally. And we must demonstrate that pools can coexist responsibly within broader water ecosystems.
Collaboration will be key. No single company or organisation can address these challenges alone. That is precisely why Pool Horizons matters - it creates a forum where industry leaders, experts and broader society can step back, share insights and collectively shape the future.
The next chapter for our industry is about impact. If we align innovation with purpose, swimming pools can continue to evolve from leisure amenities into essential assets for healthier, more connected and more sustainable communities.
