UK budget gym operator The Gym Group has appointed Jim Graham as chief operating officer (COO).
Graham joined the business on 1 May 2014 after leaving Phoenix Equity Partners, the group’s majority shareholder, where he has advised the management teams of a diverse range of Phoenix investments, including The Gym, to drive shareholder value.
Prior to joining the private equity industry, he was the managing director of Orange’s pay-as-you-go mobile business and has previously also held a role as a management consultant and an engineer in the Royal Navy.
John Treharne, CEO of The Gym Group, says: “We are thrilled that Jim is joining the team. As an investor, Jim has a detailed understanding of our business and a natural affinity with our proposition. Jim brings a huge amount of experience in commercial marketing of low-cost consumer businesses which will help us to deliver an even better customer experience and achieve our ambitious growth targets.”
On 11 February 2014, Pure Gym and The Gym Group announced plans to merge amid growing memberships at fitness clubs and growing consumer demand for competitively priced, high quality and flexible health and fitness club memberships.
Following completion of the merger, it is intended that Graham will become commercial director of the new group.
