The HCM Summit is now underway in London
The programme is back to back with big hitters
PureGym COO, Rebecca Passmore will be divulging secrets of scaling
FLG’s Greg Oliver will reveal the company’s latest move
After a networking breakfast, Leisure Media CEO, Liz Terry and PureGym chair, Humphrey Cobbold, have just opened the HCM Summit at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.
Sponsored by EGYM, the second year builds on the success of 2024’s inaugural event, with an incredible line-up of 12 top-ranking global executives from the fitness and wellness industries.
The Summit follows the annual Speakers' Dinner – sponsored by FIBO and held at Raffles OWO last night – where many of the 2024 and 2025 line-up, plus a few extra guests, gathered to network.
If you missed out on a ticket to today's Summit, we will be live streaming throughout the day.
You can watch it here. To help plan your day, the programme is below.
9.15-9.40amKicking off the day is physiologist and co-founder of Future Practice and Pillar Wellbeing, Oli Patrick. A consummate speaker, Patrick’s presentation will set a high bar for the rest of the day, he will be talking about at-home screening tests, personalisation, supplements and “wellbeing burnout.” Prepare to have your mind blown.
9.45-10.10amFollowing, Patrick we have PureGym’s COO, Rebecca Passmore who will be giving away some of the high-value, low-cost operator’s boardroom secrets about how it scaled so quickly, including the use of the BOLT (Best of Latest Thinking) strategy and marginal gains.
10.15-10.40amGreg Oliver, CEO of Fitness and Lifestyle Group – which has 320 locations and five gym brands in four countries – is being interviewed by
HCM’s editor-at-large, Kate Cracknell at 10.15am. Tune in to hear a big reveal about the company’s next launch.
HCM Summit partner, Kauai, Virgin Active’s healthy food brand is providing delicious food for the morning break. The team is serving up a selection of healthy smoothies, raw juices, shots and wraps.
11.30-11.55amTotal Fitness CEO, Sophie Lawler, opens Session 2. An Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 finalist, Lawler is the only female CEO of a private gym chain in the UK and is an innovative leader with a people-powered approach. This promises to be a lively and inspirational session as Lawler talks through her career trajectory and the challenges of turning around the mid-market brand.
12.00-12.25pmIndustry veteran, Peter Bundey, CEO of charitable social enterprise, GLL, follows Lawler. He talks about GLL’s company culture, the importance of defining values and how they impact the bottom line.
12.30-12.55pmRounding off the morning is wellness expert, Anna Bjurstam, strategic advisor at the world-leading spa company, Six Senses. She will be talking about how the fitness industry will evolve to encompass wellness, longevity, medical integration and spiritual wellbeing in response to consumer demand and the growth of mental wellness.
Technogym is sponsoring the lunch break, giving delegates the chance to network.
The HCM Summit is delighted to welcome happiness coach, Julia Seibold, during the break, who will be signing copies of her new book
Driving License for Life. This go-to guide for transformation, offers a practical roadmap and actionable steps to take control of your life. It is also available as a 49-day online course for individuals or corporate groups.
2-2.25pmThe afternoon kicks off with CEO of LifeFit Group, Martin Seibold, being interviewed live on stage by
HCM editor, Liz Terry. Seibold’s CV speaks for itself: after being part of the management team building Fitness First in Germany, he supported the restructure of the business in the UK. As CEO of LifeFit Group, Seibold has created a multi-brand organisation which is executing a dynamic buy and build strategy across Germany and Austria.
2.30-2.55pmManaging partner in L Catterton’s flagship buyout fund, Marc Magliacano, has led investments in the health, wellness and related sectors since 2006, including many of the fund’s health and wellness investments, such as EGYM, Peloton, Thorne, Xponential Fitness, Equinox and CorePowerYoga. Tune in if you want to find out what investors are looking for and Magliacano’s take on the future of consumer wellness.
3-3.25pmDavid Lloyd Leisure CEO, Russell Barnes, came to the industry 10 years ago from the world of attractions. Previously he headed up international development for legacy brands such as Madame Tussauds and Legoland Discovery Centres at Merlin Entertainments. Now he is at the helm of Europe’s largest health and racquets company, which is valued at £2 billion. This is a rare opportunity to hear Barnes’ unique insights.
3.30-3.55pmThe UK’s most famous Angela, broadcaster, Angela Rippon, was the first woman to be given a permanent role presenting national news in the UK. A lifelong lover of dance, in 2023, aged 79, she reached week nine of dance competition
Strictly Come Dancing. She will be talking about Let’s Dance, her annual celebration of dance which aims to save the NHS by getting people dancing.
High street beauty retailer, Rituals, is hosting the afternoon break. This well-known brand is making its move into the wellness market with its Mind Oasis concept.
Healthy snacks from Calo will also be on offer.
4.30-4.55pmTaking us into Session 4 is Juan del Río, CEO of Spanish company, VivaGym Group. With investment on board, the company is scaling fast and eyeing international expansion. Del Río talks through the growth of VivaGym, lifts the lid on the secret of its success and how it plans to grow from 270 gyms to more than 400 in the next three to five years.
5-5.25pmAnother big hitter, Neil Randall, takes to the stage at 5pm. Currently CEO of Urban Gym Group, Randall has previously held senior positions at Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness and Virgin Active. He will do a SWOT analysis of the industry and talk about how to move forward and affect change instead of just responding to it, so gyms become an essential resource.
5.30-6pmThe day ends with Humphrey Cobbold in the hot seat, being interviewed by Liz Terry about his key takeaways from the day, as well as his views on the industry.
At 6pm, delegates are invited to go upstairs for some supper and drinks at the After Party, hosted by Les Mills.
The Leisure Media team gives thanks to all the sponsors, exhibitors and delegates for playing their part in hosting a great event which aims to showcase innovation, share best practice, inspire and drive the industry forward.
