Five new directors take their seats at Fitness First

Five new directors have been appointed at health club chain Fitness First following the company’s recent management restructure.

Matthew Leonard has been promoted to operations director following five years as regional business manager for clubs in the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He first joined Fitness First in 1998 as general manager of Shrewsbury and brings 15 years’ leisure experience to the role.

Tim Keightley has been promoted to UK fitness director from his previous position of UK fitness executive. A former officer in the Royal Marines Commandoes, Keightley worked as a professional stuntman before entering health and fitness in 1989.

Nick Taylor has been appointed human resources director. He joins from Pizza Express, where he saw the company grow from a small operation with 15 sites to an international brand with 340 UK outlets.

Colin Waggett, formerly finance director for Threshers Group, has been appointed group finance director, while George Flooks brings more than 15 years leisure experience to his role as UK sales director. He joins from Australia’s second largest fitness operator, Zest Health and Fitness.