Peter Stirling-Benson Departs Fitness First Australia

Peter Stirling-Benson, Managing Director of Fitness First Australia, has left the company.

A spokesperson confirmed the departure and added that the company is "expecting to be making a new appointment shortly".

Former Ticketek Chief Executive Stirling-Benson joined Fitness First Australia in July 2008.

The UK-based health club operator Fitness First is also selling 57 clubs trading in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg (operating under the Passage Fitness First, Fitness First and Just Fit brands) to HealthCity International.

Fitness First Chief Executive Colin Waggett said the deal was part of Fitness Firstâs plans to concentrate business on developing markets, stating "this is an opportunity for us to redirect resources and management focus into higher growth markets, particularly Asia."

HealthCity is one of the market leaders in the region and currently has 152 clubs trading under the HealthCity and Basic Fit brands.

When finalised, the deal means that the group will operate in excess of 200 clubs.

HealthCity Chief Executive Rene Moos commented "we're very pleased to be able to add this portfolio of clubs to our estate, further strengthening our market leading position in both full service and budget clubs."

Founded in 2000, HealthCity quickly grew to 14 locations and was taken over by private equity firm Waterland in 2005.

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