2007 Profit Track 100
Rank: 6 Virgin Active
Says its 165 clubs have more than 900,000 members worldwide
This company may be only eight years old, but it says it is already the second-largest health-club operator in Britain. After its £210m acquisition of 47 clubs from Holmes Place last year, the Milton Keynes firm now has 165 gyms across Britain, Italy, Spain and South Africa. Its next opening will be the flagship Twickenham club planned as part of the rugby stadium's new hotel complex. Managing director Matthew Bucknall has kept the group fighting fit, with profits rising 98% a year from an annualised £3.8m in 2002 to £29.8m in 2005. Bridgepoint Capital and Permira, which had backed Holmes Place, took a stake in Virgin Active through the acquisition.
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This company may be only eight years old, but it says it is already the second-largest health-club operator in Britain. After its £210m acquisition of 47 clubs from Holmes Place last year, the Milton Keynes firm now has 165 gyms across Britain, Italy, Spain and South Africa. Its next opening will be the flagship Twickenham club planned as part of the rugby stadium's new hotel complex. Managing director Matthew Bucknall has kept the group fighting fit, with profits rising 98% a year from an annualised £3.8m in 2002 to £29.8m in 2005. Bridgepoint Capital and Permira, which had backed Holmes Place, took a stake in Virgin Active through the acquisition.
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Company facts
Virgin Active
Health club operator
Company website
| Profit growth | 98.38% pa |
| 2005 profit | £29.8m |
| 2002 profit | *£3.8m |
| 2005 staff | 4,084 |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Location of HQ | Milton Keynes |
| If applicable: * = annualised figures ‡ = draft accounts |
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