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LA Fitness appoints new CEO
LA Fitness has appointed Martin Long as its new chief executive officer.
Long moves from his role as CEO of retail success story Game Group plc, where he was a key player in moving the company from a 16-site subsidiary retailer, then called Future Zone, to an 840-strong chain with revenues of £800m.
This was accomplished from 1995 to 1999 while, as finance director, he drove the £100m acquisition of the company’s key competitor, Game Group, and its 80 stores.
He then became deputy CEO of the merged entity – renamed Game Group plc – from 1999 to 2003 and successfully managed the merger of the two businesses, including the rebrand of the entire retail portfolio in 2001.
As CEO from 2003 to 2007, Long led the Game Group’s international expansion programme, taking it to 300 stores in France and Spain and achieving a growing presence in Portugal, Scandinavia, Eire and Australia.
Fred Turok, LA Fitness chair, says: “Martin’s tremendous track record in international markets will help power the next phase of LA Fitness’ growth.”