Gearing up for growth Fitness and Lifestyle Group appoints new Chief Financial Officer

January 31, 2023

Leading health and wellbeing company the Fitness & Lifestyle Group (FLG) has announced the appointment of Chris Banks as its new Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary.

Banks joins FLG - which operates more than 385 corporately-owned clubs across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore - from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at healthcare provider Healthia.

Joining Healthia as a start-up in 2017, Banks was instrumental in the growth of the business, driving the company through its mergers and acquistitions, funding, deal structuring and initial public offering (IPO) as it grew to 310 clinics and $50 million EBITDA.

Prior to Healthia, for over a decade Banks worked in chartered accountancy, corporate finance, transactions, acquisitions and specialised lending within the ‘Big 4’ and at the Bank of Queensland, developing strong expertise in structuring deals and financing solutions across a range of sectors.

Welcoming Banks to FLG, Group Chief Executive, Greg Oliver stated “after a period of consolidation and post-pandemic restructuring in 2022, 2023 is about returning to growth and positioning to achieve our 2024 goal of market leader status in each of our regions.

“We’re delighted to be bringing someone of Chris’s calibre and energy onboard to help steer Fitness & Lifestyle Group through this exciting period, and beyond.”

Looking forward to his new role, Banks commented “it’s fantastic to be joining the powerhouse that is Fitness & Lifestyle Group at a time of such opportunity for health and fitness clubs.

“Although my recent professional background is in clinical healthcare, I’m excited by the mindset shift we’ve seen towards preventative health and wellness over the last few years.

“Populations around the world have now recognised the value of physical activity for their overall health and wellbeing - and specifically, the outcomes achieved in world-class facilities such as those operated by Fitness & Lifestyle Group.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to build on this and I’m very much looking forward to harnessing my skills and experience to help FLG do exactly that.”

Image: Chris Banks, FLG’s new Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary.

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22nd July 2022 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group introduces digital induction process for new members

6th June 2022 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group to close childminding facilities at Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs

19th April 2022 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group unveils its latest tech innovations

25th March 2022 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group names former Audible Director as Marketing and Public Relations Head for Australasia

6th December 2021 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group’s new technology roles to focus on ‘innovative and interactive customer experiences’

1st July 2021 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group sign with Airlock Digital to protect against cyber attacks

6th May 2021 - Digital innovation driving growth of Goodlife Health Clubs

4th May 2021 - New partnership announced between Fitness and Lifestyle Group and the Australian Institute of Fitness

21st April 2021 - Goodlife Health Clubs expands in Queensland

22nd March 2021 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group launches Emerging Leaders program

8th December 2020 - Fitness and Lifestyle Group announces exclusive deal with Transaction Services Group for its Fitness First, Zap, Goodlife and Jetts NZ brands

5th November 2020 - Fitness First launches free gym membership for Australians facing job loss

21st March 2020 - Centr app now available to members of Fitness First, Goodlife Health Clubs, Jetts Fitness and Zap Fitness

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