Biographies

Fred Turok, Chairman
 
Fred started his career as a P.E teacher, becoming Head of PE before moving into the health and fitness club industry. He worked for David Lloyd as a fitness instructor and as he progressed through the ranks he was charged with overseeing the construction and managing David Lloyd's first tennis and country club. 

After receiving thorough training, Fred raised funds to buy his own club in 1990, which gradually expanded and is now one of the leading chains in the industry.  The company, LA Fitness listed on the stock exchange in 1996.  In 15 years Fred has built up a chain of clubs, the company recently privatised through a management buyout supported by a private equity firm. 

Fred likes to work out in the morning before he starts work.  Fred grew up in Cape Town Fred where his parents were jailed for being ANC members in 1964 fighting against the apartheid movement and moved to the UK in 1967.

Andree Deane, Chief Executive Officer  

 
Andrée is Chief Executive Officer of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), public affairs advisor to SkillsActive and board director of Sport England (London Region).

After a seven year career as a Physical Education teacher, Andree launched her career in the health and fitness industry sector. She has now worked in this sector for over 20 years.

She is an author of the first Exercise and Fitness NVQs and more recently, has represented the industry's interests at Whitehall and Westminster including contributing to the Department of Health's National Quality Assurance Framework and the recently published White Paper on Public Health. Andrée has been a major driver in the establishment of the Register of Exercise Professionals.

In 1987 Andrée established an instructor training company, Shape Fitness Education, which trained and qualified over 10,000 exercise instructors and personal trainers. She sold the company to Central YMCA (CYMCA) and was retained as a director at the CYMCA for a further six years. Andrée was part of the team which secured Government accreditation for the YMCA awarding body, Central YMCA Qualifications. It awards certificates for exercise qualifications to over 20,000 candidates per year.

Andrée joined the FIA in 1999. She is responsible for developing the FIA's public affairs strategy which is widely recognised as one of the industry’s most compelling ambassadors.
Andrée was an accomplished 10,000 meter runner before injury and ex-county hockey player. Cycling is now Andrée’s passion. A committed Chelsea FC season ticket holder Andrée has supported the team for over 20 years.