Henchoz launches fitness investment company

An investment vehicle created to capitalise on opportunities in the health, fitness, beauty and spa markets is set to launch on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) next month.

Cadogan Park has been formed by three leading figures from the leisure industry. Executive chair, Patrick Henchoz, set up ISL Leisure in 1989 and expanded the business to 35 clubs over 12 years, before ultimately listing the business as Esporta in 2000. Henchoz left after seeing the company through to its flotation in 2000.

The new company’s managing director is Colin Castelino, former group financial director of the hotel and leisure group, Clivedon and part of the executive team that took the group to flotation.

Cadogan Park’s sole shareholder up to the launch on AIM is Sir John Beckwith, one of the co-founders of Riverside.

The aim of the new company is to invest in a number of small businesses in the health, fitness and wellness markets, which would benefit from capital, financial or operational skills said Henchoz. “The business must be cash generative with a clear potential for rollout across the UK and have an existing management team which is looking to take the business forward,” he said.

The company is currently reviewing a number of investment opportunities and is keen to hear from other entrepreneurs and small companies with a successful business model.

“The proposed acquisitions are likely to be within the UK, but the businesses could be expanded overseas either through direct participation or franchising of the concept,” said Henchoz.