The Fitness Group, the UK’s top fitness education training provider, has added a heavyweight to their lineup by appointing Gavin Baxter as their new Chief Commercial Officer.
Baxter steps into the ring after a five-year stint at Active IQ, the UK’s leading awarding body for active leisure, learning, and wellbeing.
With over 15 years of experience under his belt as a sports coach, outdoor activity instructor, group training instructor, personal trainer, consultant, manager, and senior manager, Baxter brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
In his new role, Baxter is tasked with spearheading The Fitness Group’s expansion across the UK and onto the international stage.
With a mission to get more people moving, he’s recognized as a top aspiring entrepreneur by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Unite, a global community and non-profit foundation that brings together entrepreneurial minds to create opportunities for a better world.
At Active IQ, Baxter made quite a splash. As Head of Business Development, he helped maintain the organization’s top-dog status in the sector and drove international expansion, overseeing a staggering 700% growth in the international business during his tenure.
Before Active IQ, Baxter’s resume reads like a fitness world tour, with stints at The British Army, Saudi Aramco, British Military Fitness, Rathbone, PGL, and his own venture, Operation Fitness.
During his time at Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, Baxter set up an education program that supported over 1800 firefighters, ensuring they were in top shape for their demanding roles. At Operation Fitness, he focused on helping military veterans with mental health issues, including PTSD and substance abuse problems, reintegrate into society through fitness.
Baxter’s appointment is more than just a career move; it’s a statement. He said, “Throughout my career, I’ve always championed the need for quality education. That belief remains as strong as ever, to give trainers the best opportunity for success in the sector. It also aligns perfectly with Steven and Scott’s ambitions for The Fitness Group to support the quality of education across the UK and internationally. It promises to be an exciting time ahead as we look to drive growth domestically and worldwide, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Steven Dick, Co-Founder and Director at The Fitness Group, echoed this enthusiasm: “Gavin’s reputation in the fitness industry speaks for itself. His background and expertise in our sector are a perfect fit to help us on our growth journey, and we’re delighted to have him join the team during what is a busy and exciting time for the business.”
The Fitness Group isn’t just flexing its muscles locally. With courses offered globally through its online platform and in key UK cities such as London, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, the company is set on equipping aspiring personal trainers with a solid foundation in health, nutrition, fitness, and specialized areas like pre and post-natal care.
For more information, visit The Fitness Group.