HEALTH & FITNESS


Proinsight appoints Oliver Matthews as ops director


Leisure industry mystery shopping and research specialist Proinsight has recruited Oliver Matthews to help drive the business forward as director of operations. Matthews has 13 years’ experience of lei-


sure and hospitality management. He will focus his expertise in customer service and data analysis to streamline internal pro- cesses, integrate a new technology platform and grow the Proinsight research arm. “I’m thrilled to join managing director


David Hopkins and the team at Proinsight Research at this exciting time in the com- pany’s journey,” said Matthews. “We are gaining momentum and our vision is clear.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=r5y2q


Big names run for ukactive Board


ukactive has announced the high-profile shortlist of candidates aiming to join the new Board of Directors, to be helmed by recently-appointed chair Tanni Grey-Tompson. Leading figures from a


number of leisure giants – including Virgin Active, The Gym Group and GLL – comprise the shortlist, with ukactive members having voted for their pref- erences for the new Board members via the ukactive website. The deadline for voting was Friday 8 May and results are expected shortly. In addition to an appointed chair, the


Te Gym Group CEO and founder John Treharne is vying for a seat Contesting the Commercial Fitness & Activity


Board will be comprised of an appointed trea- surer and up to five appointed non-executive directors drawing in experience from the sec- tor and broader areas of specialism such as government policy making, healthcare and private sector delivery. Te elected positions, covering commercial fitness, local authority activity and wider activity promotion, will provide a direct voice for ukactive members in this new governance structure.


Microsoſt’s Band rivals the Apple Watch


Fitness-focused Microsoft Band goes on sale in the UK


Technology giant Microsoft has made its long-awaited entrance into the UK wearable technology sector with the launch of the fitness-focused Microsoſt Band. The wearable device boasts 10


sensors that can track a number of exercise and health metrics, including sleep quality, heart rate, calories, stress and even a per- son’s sun exposure. Initial reaction has seen the Band – which received a limited release in the US on 30 October 2014 – hailed as a potential rival to the forthcoming Apple Watch. Indeed, the Microsoſt Band boasts more sensors and at £169.99 is considerably cheaper than the Apple offer- ing (which starts from £231), while the Band is compatible with Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices. The wider accessibility of the Band – the Apple Watch will only be com- patible with Apple mobile products – forms part of Microsoſt’s goal for the device to help people lead healthier lives and be more productive, regard- less of what smartphone they have. Details: http://lei.sr?a=h8Z2B


4 Philpott joins Stalker’s trampolining firm


Former Places for People Leisure CEO Steve Philpott has become the latest leisure industry heavyweight to back David Stalker’s new tram- polining concept Oxygen Freejumping, joining as an investor and non executive director. Philpott, who has extensive experience


across the leisure industry, completes an all-star Oxygen team founded by outgoing ukactive CEO Stalker and former ukactive chair and LA fitness co-founder Fred Turok. Meanwhile, ex-ukactive public affairs


director Stephen Wilson is on board as strategy director for the new company. “For me as CEO, I couldn’t be more


delighted that Steve Philpott has chosen to join us as an investor and non-executive director on the Board,” Stalker told Leisure Opportunities. “Steve’s many years as a senior player in all kinds of areas of leisure makes him a fantastic sounding board on both strategy and day-to-day operations.” Philpott’s backing of Oxygen comes just


months aſter he became non-executive chair of Mosaic Spa and Health Clubs. Oxygen has already raised in excess of £2.5m


for the venture, with support from Jacaranda Capital Partners. During fundraising the


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Steve Philpott has extensive leisure experience


company operated under the “Altitude” brand but since closing fundraising has announced that its clubs will operate under the Oxygen Freejumping brand. Tere are plans to open a minimum of 15 sites across the UK over the next two years, with the first site set to launch in West Acton this July. Each Oxygen park will be in the range of 20,000 to 40,000sq ſt and will comprise more than 100 trampolines. Details: http://lei.sr?a=u4x3Q


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2015


seat are Matt Merrick, European COO, Virgin Active; Paul Ramsay, ops director, 3d Leisure; and John Treharne, CEO, Te Gym Group. Contesting the Local Authority Activity seat are Sandra Dodd, CEO, Places for People Leisure; Neil King, MD, 1Life Management Solutions; and Mark Sesnan, MD, GLL. Te third elected seat represents “broader physical activity,” with Dr Ewan Hamnett running unopposed. Details: http://lei.sr?a=W6G8f


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24