Energie Fitness New Chief Operating Officer Receives Investors With Open Arms

Énergie Fitness rebranding initiatives paves the way for new investors and greater franchising opportunities.

Health Club Management magazine reported that Neil King, previously the managing director of 1Life Management Solutions, has been appointed énergie Fitness new chief operating officer. With this new appointment, énergie Group’s chief executive officer, chairman and founder, Jan Spaticchia will be able to focus on the group’s strategy and business expansion initiatives for long-term growth.

Spaticchia told Health Club Management: “We’re looking at a capital realisation event at the back end of this year – it could be private equity, it could be an IPO – and this [appointment] will give me the opportunity to work on that.

“Neil is a respected leader in our sector and brings a blend of experience, integrity and commercial acumen that will serve us well as we enter our next stage of growth.

“His appointment as COO is a statement of our intent, with an ambitious agenda for growth and quality that requires us to attract the very best talent.”

King will have a head start at the end of February focusing on brand value and operations. Sometime in the future, King is expected to become énergie’s chief executive officer, at which point Spaticchia will stay on as chairman of the group. As part as énergie’s network-wide rebranding, Fit4Less estate will be absorbed under the new énergie Fitness brand positioning itself in the low-cost franchise space. King is expected to work at Spaticchia’s side growing business in the UK and internationally, which already counts with approximately 100 clubs and a network turnover of £30m. King said: “I’m delighted to be joining énergie Fitness at this important stage of its development.

“The new énergie brand presents a fantastic opportunity to own a unique space in the marketplace and the current diversity in the sector brings multiple opportunities for franchising.

“Clear plans for a future capital realisation event, innovations such as ‘Thé Yard’ and ambitious growth plans make this an exciting time to be joining énergie.”

King comes with 25 years’ experience in the industry in senior management roles at Everyone Active, Balance Fitness (Elixia) and Fitness First. In 2013, he joined 1Life where he led the rebranding and turnaround of the American-owned leisure management company that operates 40 local authority locations throughout the UK, including swimming pools, leisure centres and golf clubs. At 1Life, King will be replaced by Mark Braithwaite who said: “I’m looking forward to developing the business in both our long-term core activities and in new areas for growth.

“This is an exciting time for 1Life as we look to develop the SmartFit 35 brand proposition and continue to evolve.”