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

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.