The Gym Group, the nationwide operator of 206 low cost, high quality, 24/7 no contract gyms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Luke Tait as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and Executive Director of the Company. Luke is expected to start in October 2022 and will join the Board of Directors of the Company.

Luke is currently Group CFO of Nando's Group Holdings Limited, the global restaurant business, which he joined in 2017. Nando's operates 1,200 company-owned and franchise restaurants in over 20 countries with over 20,000 employees. The business has sales of £1.1bn and market leading positions in its key geographies in the United Kingdom and South Africa.   

From 2004 to 2017 he held various finance roles at SSP plc, the FTSE 250 leisure business, including CFO of the UK and US businesses and Group Corporate Finance Director, culminating as Group Financial Controller. Prior to that Luke worked for Compass Group PLC and Close Brothers Corporate Finance. Luke is a qualified accountant.

Richard Darwin, Chief Executive Officer of The Gym Group, commented:

I am delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Luke's calibre to join our Board and Executive team. His extensive experience across global leisure businesses will be hugely beneficial as we implement our ambitious growth plans in the years ahead and continue to make fitness accessible for all.

Luke Tait commented:

I am really excited to be joining The Gym Group. The business has established itself as a market leader in an exciting and vibrant sector. I am looking forward to working with the Board and management team to capitalise on the significant market opportunities ahead.

As announced on 20 January 2022, Mark George will leave the Company in July 2022.

This notification is made pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.11R.

The Company confirms that there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.13R.

For further information, please contact:

The Gym Group:
Richard Darwin, CEO
Mark George, CFO
via Tulchan Communications 

Tulchan Communications:
James Macey White
Elizabeth Snow
Laura Marshall
+44 (0) 207 353 4200

Numis
Luke Bordewich
George Price
+44 (0) 207 260 1000

Peel Hunt
Dan Webster
+44 (0) 207 418 8900