24 May 2016, 18:00 - 20:30
The Curve, Teesside University, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3JN
One of the most interesting, exciting and potentially profitable things you can do as an entrepreneur is disrupt a big market, and that’s exactly what serial entrepreneur and investor Peter Roberts has done with Pure Gym.
Following extensive research in the fitness market, Peter spotted a gap for a low-cost, flexible gym chain at a time when the sector was dominated by mid to high end operators.
Founding Pure Gym in autumn 2008, Peter wanted to start a business which removed the barriers to gym entry, with no lengthy contracts, low monthly fees and flexible 24-hour opening. Bringing together an experienced management team and raising initial investment through Private EIS funds, it took around 12 months to open his first two gyms in Manchester and Leeds and, since then, Pure Gym has been revolutionising the industry.
Through simplicity, transparency and an understanding of who its customers are and what they want, Pure Gym has had a hugely disruptive impact on the status quo of the fitness industry. In just seven years it has grown to more than 150 sites nationwide, with a further 25 gyms scheduled to open before the end of 2016.
The aggressive expansion has been helped by the acquisition of Pure Gym Ltd by CCMP Capital Advisors, a deal which Peter oversaw in May 2013. Pure Gym is now the UK’s largest operator - with nearly 800,000 members - and one of the UK’s top 20 fastest growing businesses.
Prior to setting up Pure Gym, Peter’s impressive entrepreneurial career has spanned many years in the leisure industry and other businesses included Lazards Leisure Venture Capital Fund, Dragons Health Club, Luminar plc, Countrystyle Inns and Golden Tulip Hotels.
This is your chance to join your peers and enjoy an evening in Peter’s company, learning more about his experience building and scaling up Pure Gym, and shaking up the gym industry.
