Clive Ormerod has also worked for telecommunications company Spark and Nike in his career. Photo / Nick Reed
Clive Ormerod has also worked for telecommunications company Spark and Nike in his career. Photo / Nick Reed
The marketing guru who led fitness group Les Mills International’s global and digital expansion over the past six years is stepping down and his replacement is yet to be found.
Clive Ormerod, who rose from the company’s chief marketing officer to step into the lead position in July 2019, announced the move publicly on Friday morning.
“It’s always tough when you’re leaving a business that you love and feel passionate about, but also at an individual level you know you can have an impact on the world [elsewhere],” Ormerod told the Herald.
He wouldn’t give any details on his next move but in an announcement on Les Mills’ website he said he had “decided to take some time out with family and to recharge personally, before moving into a new opportunity in the new year”.
“Now feels like the right time to make this decision and to leave the company in the very capable hands of the best team I’ve ever worked with.
Les Mills was founded by four-time Olympian Les Mills in 1968. Its trademarked workouts are delivered across 21,000 gyms and clubs globally.
Reflecting on his time at Les Mills, Ormerod told the Herald he was most proud of its ability to ride out the pandemic and dial in on its direct-to-consumer online workout business.
“That was the most difficult time for the industry we’ve ever experienced.
“We’re a way stronger company than we were six years ago based on the innovation and products we brought to market. I like to think customers have more choice than they’ve ever had.”
Les Mills is a privately-held company majority owned by the Mills family, so its finances were not public.
The Accident Compensation Corporation owns about 20 per cent of the company, while former Spark CEO Simon Moutter also owns a small slice.
Phillip Mills, son of founder Les Mills, drove what was once a single gym in Auckland to a global fitness business with his wife Jackie. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Executive director Phillip Mills said Ormerod had a huge impact on the business, including steering it through the “choppy waters” of the global pandemic.
“He has shown immense commitment, leading the business with strong strategic focus and a tireless work ethic.
“While we’re sad to see him go, we respect his decision and wish him all the best.”
A search for his successor was under way.
Ormerod said telling the team about his exit this week was a “tough call”, but they had a big opportunity ahead to convert more people to exercise.
“Fitness is such an exciting industry. I believe it’s the best category in the world and globally we have a real opportunity to get people to move.”
He told the Herald he works out six days a week (Sundays are his rest days), and yes, he’ll keep his Les Mills gym membership.
Madison Reidy is the host of New Zealand’s only financial markets show Markets with Madison. She joined the Herald in 2022 after working in investment, and has covered business and economics for television and radio broadcasters.
