Leisure DB, the leading provider of data and insight for the fitness and leisure sector, has announced the appointment of Glen Thurgood as chief strategy officer. Glen joins the company at a pivotal time as it accelerates its digital transformation and broadens its market reach.

David Turner, chairman of Leisure DB, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment,

stating: 'We are delighted to welcome Glen to the Leisure DB team. His wealth of experience across multiple sectors, combined with his innovative approach to business, makes him the perfect leader to drive our next phase of growth. With Glen at the helm of our strategic direction, we are confident that Leisure DB will continue to lead the way in delivering cutting-edge data solutions that support the industry’s evolution. His expertise in digital transformation and market expansion will be instrumental in shaping the future of the fitness and leisure sector.

'Glen brings an impressive track record of leadership and innovation to his new role. As the founder and CEO of Training Shed, a multi-site gym operator with four locations, he has firsthand experience in scaling and optimising fitness businesses. His entrepreneurial background extends into the tech space, where he co-founded MiOP, a surgical care pathway app that has been proven to improve surgical outcomes by 50%, and Huumans, a wellbeing tech platform designed to assess and enhance corporate wellbeing.'

Beyond his work in business and technology, Thurgood is an accomplished author, having written nine fitness books that have collectively sold over two million copies worldwide with Dorling Kindersley. His career also includes a decade as a performance director in professional sports, where he worked alongside some of the world’s best coaches to drive elite athletic performance.

On his appointment, Thurgood shared his excitement for the journey ahead: 'I am truly honored to join Leisure DB at such a transformative time. The fitness and leisure sector plays a crucial role in global health, wellbeing and productivity, and it’s time it gets the recognition and representation it deserves.

'I look forward to leading the charge in ensuring our incredible sector fulfills its true potential through innovative data solutions, digital transformation and strategic market expansion. Together, we will shape the future of the industry and maximise its impact worldwide.'