At Virgin Active, our purpose is simple: to change people’s lives through wellness.
We are evolving into social wellness clubs. Sophisticated, design-led spaces where movement, recovery, connection and community come together. Our ambition is to deliver a fully integrated approach to wellbeing, combining physical training, mental wellness, nutrition and social experience into one seamless member journey.
As a Personal Trainer, you are not just delivering sessions, you are shaping lifestyles, building confidence and playing a direct role in changing lives.
Role Type: Permanent
Number of Hours: Zero Hours
A Different Model
This is not the traditional Personal Training model.
At Virgin Active, you are employed, giving you stability alongside flexibility and the opportunity to grow your earnings.
There is:
Instead, you’ll benefit from:
So you can focus on what matters most — delivering exceptional coaching and changing lives.
Elevating Performance — HYROX Affiliation
As part of our commitment to delivering cutting-edge wellness experiences, Virgin Active is now officially affiliated with HYROX.
This creates exciting opportunities for you to:
The Role
You will sit at the heart of the member experience, combining expertise, presence and commercial awareness.
You will:
Expert or Elite — Where Do You Fit?
We are hiring across both levels, with clear progression pathways.
Expert Personal Trainer
Elite Personal Trainer
What Sets You Apart
Our Perks
Pay Range 14.7 - 25.75 GBP
Virgin Active operates a global network of large health clubs, offering a wide range of fitness and wellness services across more than 230 clubs in 8 countries and attracting over 1.2 million members. Its clubs provide multiple gym facilities, classes, and health programs all under one roof, with a focus on delivering a more personalised gym experience and a multi-boutique feel for members. The company differentiates itself through its scale, iconic locations, and strong Virgin Group branding, aiming to create convenient, high-quality fitness experiences that help people live a more active life.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$247.8M
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1999
See people who can refer or advise you
Virgin Active does £175 million rights issue to invest in growth. By Liz Terry 28 Jul 2026 Virgin Active is raising funds to upscale its estate and reduce debt Credit: Virgin Active Shareholders are investing £175 million in Virgin Active through a rights issue, with Brait contributing £108 million Brait says the stronger balance sheet will support Refurbishment s and new clubs ahead of a potential listing or sale Proceeds will also be used to reduce debt, cutting net debt-to-EBITDA from 3.7 times to 2.0 times Refinancing and related measures are expected to reduce annual interest costs by £21.5 million Job opportunities Heritage Great Britain c£70,000pa + benefits + relocation support location: Isle of Wight, United Kingdom Virgin Active is raising £175 million from its existing shareholders to reduce debt and create capacity for its club refurbishment and new club pipeline. The rights issue forms part of a wider refinancing of the Health club Operator, as majority shareholder Brait works to position the business for a potential listing or sale. Brait will contribute £108 million - its pro-rata share of the capital raise - with the remaining funding coming from Virgin Active's other shareholders. £140m of the proceeds will be used to reduce existing borrowings, with Virgin Active's net debt-to-EBITDA ratio expected to fall from 3.7 times to 2.0 times. The balance will be available to invest in further growth. Reducing the group's gearing will give it greater capacity to invest in new locations and refurbishments across its international portfolio, according to Brait. The transaction is being accompanied by the refinancing of Virgin Active's South African and international debt facilities, as well as the conversion of £70 million of convertible preference shares into equity and the cash redemption of a further £10.4 million. Brait expects the combined measures to reduce Virgin Active's annual interest costs by £21.5 million. Following the preference-share conversion, Brait remains the operator's majority shareholder, with a 61.3 per cent stake. The capital raise, along with existing cash facilities and growing operating cashflow, will allow Virgin Active to accelerates its Strategy of upgrading clubs and developing larger, Premium Wellness destinations. Expansion will be focused in both existing markets and new markets, with a particular focus on Europe, where the business has recently secured new sites in Austria, Switzerland and Belgium. The group also continues to expand its growing its healthy food business, which is now operating in eight countries. Virgin Active increased EBITDA by 37 per cent to £110 million during the year ending December 2025. Its maintainable EBITDA - the figure used by Brait for valuation and leverage purposes - was £122 million. It had just over 1.02 million active members at March 2026, including 623,000 in Southern Africa, 194,000 in Italy, 144,000 in the UK and 61,000 across its Asia Pacific Operations. UK revenue increased by 9 per cent during the year, supported by Membership yield increases, strong sales at refurbished clubs and reduced attrition. Brait said significant further capital Investment would be required to upgrade the remainder of the UK estate, improve retention and support membership yield growth. In Italy, revenue increased by 7 per cent, with strong membership sales at three new clubs. Virgin Active has also identified additional locations and signed leases for openings during 2026 and 2027. Performance in Asia Pacific was more mixed. Singapore and Thailand delivered strong sales, while Australia traded below budget and experienced higher attrition. The new Virgin Active Bondi club has made a stronger start, with Brait saying its performance supports the investment case for the premiumisation of the estate. CEO, Dean Kowarski told HCM "The £175 million equity raise is an important step in strengthening our balance sheet and allowing the group to focus resources on growth opportunities in the wellness industry. The sector is enjoying structural tailwinds and we see exciting opportunities to accelerate growth in the premium wellness space, both in existing and new markets." Brait is in the final stages of a strategy designed to unlock the value of its remaining investments and says Virgin Active's growth programme could position the company for an exit within the next two years. Although the investment group is considering a potential listing or a sale of the business, it hasn't announced a confirmed flotation or timetable. Speaking to HCM in 2024 about longer terms plans, CEO, Dean Kowarski said "It's too soon to say if Biohacking ORB'll list or go for a trade sale, but I can share that Biohacking ORB don't want to be seen as a Fitness or gym operator because the financial metrics don't make sense to Biohacking ORB - when you've got a business that's churning 40-50 per cent of its customers every year, no-one's going to be interested. "Biohacking ORB want to show Biohacking ORB has got a model where churn is at Netflix-type levels because Biohacking ORB has got such a great product People don't want to leave its clubs. "If we can show the investment Community we've changed the gym model and adopted a Hospitality-focused model that's more sticky, we believe we'll get the valuations we're looking for." Watch Dean Kowarski outline plans for Virgin Active at the HCM Summit 2024 here More news. 1 - 15 of 69,733 28 Jul 2026 27 Jul 2026 26 Jul 2026 25 Jul 2026 24 Jul 2026 1 - 15 of 69,733
Virgin Active to debut its social wellness club concept in London. By Kath Hudson 13 May 2026 The spa at Virgin Active's Mayfair social wellness club Credit: Virgin Active Virgin Active will open its first social wellness club in London in July The concept blends training, recovery, work spaces and community The Mayfair site will include studios, a gym, spa facilities, recovery and co-working spaces It marks a strategic shift towards wellness-led clubs, with more UK sites expected to follow Virgin Active is set to open its first social wellness club in London, with a relaunch of its Mayfair site in July. Virgin Active, which has 224 clubs in nine countries, serving more than a million members, is repositioning its health clubs as social wellness clubs that become the second space. The concept has been designed to sit alongside everyday life: a place where training, recovery, focus, connection, work and nutrition are brought together with intent. Experience director at Virgin Active, Rob Lewis, said: "This is a complete reimagining of what a club can and should be. The new Virgin Active Mayfair has been designed for the way our members actually live - a space where training, recovery, work and community sit alongside each other naturally." There will be five dedicated studios: Combat, Lift Club, Mind and Body, Reformer and Tower Pilates, and a 1:1 Pilates suite. The extensive gym will be split equally between strength and cardio, with a dedicated team of personal trainers delivering tailored programmes. Additionally, there will be a contrast spa including a Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, cold plunge, vitality pool and a 20-metre indoor pool. The recovery area will incorporate heated hydromassage beds and the latest Hyperice technology. Longevity treatment rooms will offer services from on-site physios, osteopaths, sports therapists and performance specialists. Additional services include spacious co-working lounges with private meeting rooms and call booths, a dedicated concierge service, and Kauai Café, which will serve considered, protein-rich food. Events, member engagement moments and brand collaborations will run throughout the year. Elena Chambers, country director at Virgin Active UK, said: "Mayfair represents exactly the direction we're committed to across our UK portfolio. This is a significant investment in the space, the experience, and the standard our members can expect from us, and it is the first of several steps we're taking across the UK in the coming months and years." Virgin Active CEO, Dean Kowarski, first outlined plans for the elevation of clubs in his presentation at the HCM Summit in 2024. You can watch this here. 15 May 2026 Therme Group's Romanian bathing resort Therme Bucharest is currently hosting its Herbarium Festival (4-17 May), 15 May 2026 Brio Northgate - formerly Northgate Arena in Chester - has officially reopened following 14 May 2026 US athletic country club operator, Life Time, says its 2026 growth strategy and outlook are 13 May 2026 A new international study has identified the emergence of a consumer segment of 13 May 2026 JD Gyms has designed its own personal training qualification and announced the launch of the 12 May 2026 The turnaround at Xponential Fitness is yet to bear fruit, as Q1 revenues A new digital interface is being hailed as 'revolutionary' for the leisure, health and wellness 12 May 2026 Despite revenue growth and an increase in the number of sites, shares in Planet Fitness 07 May 2026 A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich is shedding fresh 07 May 2026 Cheshire-based, leisure charity, Everybody Health and Leisure, has announced the appointment of four high-profile patrons, 07 May 2026 Australian reformer franchise, Studio Pilates International, is launching a competitive concept - The Pilates Games 06 May 2026 US-based robotics wellness company Aescape Inc has entered insolvency proceedings following the sale 06 May 2026 VivaGym - the fast-growing operator of high-value low-price gyms in Spain and Portugal - is Celebrating its milestone fifth anniversary, W3Fit EMEA returns in 2026 with an unmissable gathering of 05 May 2026 Everyone Active has partnered with Team GB sprinter and TV personality, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, to be 05 May 2026 Urban Gym Group (UGG) has acquired Vondelgym Rotterdam, further strengthening its presence in one of 04 May 2026 A wellness club opens on London's River Thames this month, offering luxury facilities and personalised 03 May 2026 Activity levels are still rising among English adults according to Sport England's new Active Lives 01 May 2026 Your Personal Training (YPT) has announced a new partnership with Anytime Fitness. Under the partnership, 01 May 2026 Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a potential brain-driven mechanism behind the physical 01 May 2026 Premium operator, Third Space, opens its 15th health club today (1 May) in Chelsea, off 28 Apr 2026 On unveiling a strong set of year-end results, PureGym CEO, Clive Chesser, says the low-cost 1 - 20 of 12,300
Why are so many people banking on Zopa? When Clare Gambardella joined Zopa in 2018, the business was at a pivotal moment in its relatively short history. The now-unicorn was in the process of moving from a peer-to-peer lending platform into a fully regulated digital bank. Gambardella had joined as chief customer officer (CCO) from Virgin Active, where she had spent nearly five years and worked her way up to CMO. Zopa describes itself as combining the reliability of a high street bank with the ease of app-based banking. In September the digital bank revealed its plans to build a 500-strong workforce in Manchester after opening an office in the city. In 2021 the digital bank achieved unicorn status when a £220m funding round pushed its valuation beyond $1bn. Explaining her own role in Zopa's success, Gambardella says: "I've always moved sectors every time I've moved jobs. "I started in FMCG, then consulting, then health and fitness, and now finance. "I really like that, because I like to take on new challenges. "The benefit of moving into FinTech from outside is that you come with a really fresh perspective. "You think about what the customer needs are and how you can meet that, rather than having a set way of how things are done in the industry." Zopa's shift to banking in 2020 marked a turning point in the company's fortunes. In the space of three years, the London-based FinTech has gone from being loss-making to turning a pre-tax profit of £34.2m in 2024. "It was definitely a real learning curve when I joined," Gambardella tells BusinessCloud at Lisbon's Web Summit. "But I was lucky enough to go through that point where Zopa was also developing and changing a lot. "Obviously, going from peer-to-peer into being a fully regulated bank was a really interesting time and a really interesting journey." From loss-making to market leader. As CCO, Gambardella's remit spans marketing, product design, the Zopa app and now consumer AI. She says: "There's a few different areas to my role that in some way I would hope contribute to that (increase in profit). "The first one is obviously marketing - building our brand in a way that people can trust and feel at home with. "The second thing is our app, which is the key interaction portal for customers." The key skill that she has been able to develop for the team is helping the business not only acquire users, but keep them engaged. "One of the things we're really proud of is that in the last year we've doubled the products we've sold to customers," she says. "That's not only important from a profitability point of view, but it's a great endorsement of customers wanting to do more with Zopa and having had a good experience with Zopa and wanting to come back." Zopa now serves around 1.5 million customers, up from roughly 1.2m at the start of the year, and Gambardella says that momentum is showing no sign of slowing. "We would love to see Zopa becoming the home of money for UK consumers," she says. "That means being able to deliver more value, more effortless experiences, and build deeper trust and relationships with customers. "If we can do that for hopefully 5m customers over the next couple of years, that will feel like a really meaningful achievement." Scaling smartly with AI. Part of Zopa's growth strategy now hinges on how effectively it can deploy AI to enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency. Gambardella says the company's approach to AI is pragmatic and focused on where it creates measurable value, rather than just using it for the sake of it. "The first way in which we use AI is for internal productivity," she explains. "We've got about 500 custom GPTs to basically help us go to market faster and be more efficient. "The second area is operational AI - things like our operations chatbot. At the moment, all of our chats now run initially through AI. "We see around 12,000 chats a month, and the customer satisfaction on those is around 10% higher than average, because we can triage them a lot faster. "Our consumer AI assistant focuses on making payments faster with your voice - to yourself, to others, and via any bank account that you link. It's all about speed and ease." However, she is also wary that customers feel comfortable with the human element when looking for a service. She continues: "Around 60 per cent of UK consumers are using AI, but only around 30 per cent would say they would trust a bank that is run off AI predominantly," she says. "It's really important to combine AI with humans. Our operations team handles complex matters the chatbot can't resolve - things like fraud or vulnerability - where empathy is vital." Building sustainable growth. With Zopa's profitability and customer base both growing rapidly, Gambardella says maintaining balance between innovation and stability is key. "We believe that creating a sustainable business for both customers and investors is really important," she says. "And I guess we'll see where that ends up." The company's long-term plans include a recent major expansion into Manchester and building on September's acquisition of Rvvup to transform its retail finance offering. "It's been an exciting time for all of us," she says. "We're in the very early stages of that acquisition. It has made our retail banking and POS offering much, much stronger." Zopa's growth story is as much about resilience as it is revenue. Amid the AI boom, which has the potential to reshape industries, Gambardella is leading initiatives that prepare people for what comes next. "We have a bit of a history of creating cross-industry ESG campaigns," she says. "We initiated the FinTech Pledge in 2022, which delivered 10m actions to transform customers' financial resilience. "So our next focus is Jobs 2030 - re-skilling 100,000 financial and tech workers in AI." The campaign stems from research with Juniper Research, which found that the financial services industry will invest £1.8bn in AI by 2030. "There will be productivity increases and cost savings, but there will also be a huge shift in the type of skills workers need," Gambardella says. "We believe that for FinTech to be successful, we really need to be creating the workforce of the future." Zopa is now taking the AI training it developed internally and making it available externally through industry partnerships. "We have our first major partner to announce quite soon," she adds. "The idea is to lead a reskilling effort across the industry and make sure people get the skills they need to work in the future environment."
The award-winning fitness educator and keynote speaker, Doris Thews, has joined CoverMe as Vice President of Business Development USA to help integrate the app into the US market.
Virgin Active UK selects Eleiko as official strength partner for club upgrades.