people news
premier sales hitting the mark
Premier Training International has
appointed Mark Botha as its new global
sales and marketing director.
Botha joins Premier from Leisure
Connection, where he worked as the
company’s sales and marketing director
from January 2006 onwards.
At Leisure Connection, Botha
was credited with transforming the
performance of the Harpers fi tness clubs
arm: during his time, personal training
Andrée Deane has left the FIA revenue grew to £750,000 a year, while
fi tness and swimming memberships grew
fi a confi rms
by 21 per cent in 2006.
Botha has also previously worked for Mark Botha joins Premier Training
deane’s exit
Fitness First, where he spent fi ve years.
At Premier, Botha will be responsible of Sports Medicine (NASM) training
After some speculation, the Fitness for all areas of sales and marketing. resources and tools.
Industry Association (FIA) has One of his main tasks will be to drive Premier Training has a turnover of
confi rmed that Andrée Deane has forward the organisation’s business- around £9m and the company currently
left the organisation. to-business and international training employs 150 people, with sites in 18
In a short statement, a division, using the National Academy locations across the UK.
spokesperson confi rmed that
Deane parted company with the
FIA back in July, but did not offer
balfour resigns from fi tness fi rst
any reason for her departure.
The statement reads: “The Board Mike Balfour, founder of Fitness First, It is understood that Balfour’s
of the FIA today confi rmed that has resigned from the company’s board. resignation is due to disagreements
Andrée Deane ceased being chief Balfour launched the company with with BC Partners over the company’s
executive offi cer of the organisation business partner Christopher Pearce in strategy. Balfour still holds a signifi cant
with effect from July 2009. Andrée 1992. Since then, the group has grown shareholding in Fitness First.
has served the fi tness industry and from a single site in Bournemouth, UK, In a short statement, a Fitness First
the association for many years and to a global chain operating 538 sites spokesperson said: “Mike Balfour has
we wish her well in the future.” across 21 countries. created a tremendous business and
Deane joined the FIA in 1999 and Balfour has remained at the company everyone in the business is hugely
was responsible for developing the through two takeovers, the last one in appreciative of the legacy he has given
FIA’s public affairs strategy. September 2005 when venture capitalist us. While it is a shame he is stepping
group BC Partners paid a total of £830m down, I am sure he will remain a friend
for the company. of the business.”
in b
rie
f...
hoole hall appoints sowden new hr director for la fi tness johnston to split role
Sara Sowden has been appointed LA fi tness is strengthening its team Jon Johnston, managing director of
fi tness manager at the new Club and with the appointment of Karen Matrix Fitness Systems, has been
Spa at Hoole Hall, the multi-million Shotbolt as its new HR director. appointed managing director of
pound purpose-built gym and spa Shotbolt joins as a director on the Matrix’s sister company, Johnson
which offi cially opened on Monday LA Fitness operating board following Health Tech. Johnston will now work
2 November. Sowden joins Hoole seven years as UK HR director in a dual role, overseeing operations
Hall from Old Hall Country Club in at Select Service Partners, the for both organisations.
Chester, where she spent fi ve years international catering and retail group. Johnson Health Tech, UK distributor
working as a gym manager. Working from the group’s Doncaster of Horizon and Vision home fi tness
Sowden says: “It’s important to HQ, Shotbolt will be responsible for equipment brands, is owned by the
adapt and grow as a professional. more than 4,500 LA Fitness employees same parent company as Matrix.
Having the opportunity to work in across more than 80 gyms, including Johnston says: “I will be taking a
such a high-spec gym with all the latest club management, fi tness coaches, the strategic managerial approach with
technology is very exciting, particularly sales team and the functional support both organisations. This will not affect
being involved from the start.” team at the 70-strong head offi ce. the growing success of Matrix.”
20 Read Health Club Management online november/december 2009 © cybertrek 2009
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