LivingWell, the health club division of Hilton Group plc, has appointed Keith Burnet to the position of Operations Director UK.

LivingWell has 26 Premier health clubs and 59 franchised hotel health clubs, which generated a turnover last year of over £54 million.

After a period of rapid expansion and development of 14 new clubs over the past three years, Keith`s focus will be to consolidate the Premier club business, to mature the new clubs and improve member retention and to grow ancillary spend.

Keith will also oversee the planned expansion of LivingWell`s hair, beauty and relaxation concept; The Sensory, growing the number of spa`s from 18 to 24.

32 year-old Keith joined LivingWell two years ago as Regional Director, North. In this time he managed the successful construction and launch of three new clubs, and was responsible for 12 clubs and achieving a turnover growth of 17%.

Burnet said, ” Over the past five years LivingWell has established the foundations to become a key operator in the UK, growing from 55 clubs and 51,000 members to 85 cubs and 120,000 members.

“The UK health and fitness industry shows no signs of slowing down, with the number of UK members set to increase by 50 per cent by 2005*. Our attention needs to now turn to consolidating the business and benefiting from this growth. I am looking forward to the challenge of helping to unlock the fantastic potential our Premier clubs present through inimitable customer care, innovative pricing and inspiring classes, products and employees. “

 

This appointment follows LivingWell`s announced AUS$100 million commitment to grow its Australian portfolio, establishing a further 10 new clubs in Australia over the next two years in addition to a new LivingWell Premier club planned for the Sydney Hilton.
Arthur McColl, previously Operations Director LivingWell UK, has been appointed Vice President LivingWell Australia to lead the expansion. Based in Sydney, Arthur will take up the new position with effect from January 2003.

 

In addition to its 85 clubs in the UK, the health club operator also has five clubs in Australia, a hotel club in Germany, Malta, Turkey and Copenhagen and is set to open a further club at the luxurious Hilton Morumbi hotel São Paulo, Brazil this October.

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