SHOKK, which provides specialist services for the youth activity sector, has confirmed an agreement that will see the company receive significant financial investment from Tian Ma Equity Solutions to drive the planned expansion and growth in franchised and SHOKK owned clubs.
Founded in 1999, SHOKK focuses solely on providing fitness equipment, activities, programmes and training for young people from the ages of 5-16 years old.
The announcement of the investment and additions to the board follows recent confirmation that the company, now known as SHOKK Projects Ltd., will move away from its core function of selling youth focused equipment and towards expanding the number of new SHOKK owned facilities as well as supporting the growth of its franchise network while building on the company’s excellent reputation for delivering bespoke training courses.
The new investment group will see two additions to the SHOKK board with Paul Johnson and Andy Bate, joint managing directors of Tian Ma Equity Solutions, joining the existing board members.
Both are well known figures in the north west business community, with award winning private equity track records at LDC and Barclays respectively.
Johnson was formerly international managing director at LDC and has been investing in the UK and Far East for the last eight years, establishing LDC's Hong Kong office in 2008.
Bate is a chartered accountant with 10 years investment experience and comes to the SHOKK board with previous directorships at Granville Baird and Barclays Ventures.
Following the announcement, Jonathan Williams, SHOKK CEO said: "We welcome the additions of Paul and Andy to the board. "Both bring a wealth of business experience to the company and with the UK roll-out fully underway - and new centres in Airdrie, Nailsea, Bracknell and Derby confirmed to open - the investment and introduction of Paul and Andy will be fundamental in supporting the next stage of SHOKK's progress and development."
On confirming his new place on the board, Johnson commented: "We have known Jonathan and his team for some time and been impressed by their drive and determination to succeed.
"The role for Andy and I is to bring some wider corporate experience to SHOKK and to share our expertise in delivering against the growth plans of a number of different companies.
"The reason we have both agreed to work with SHOKK is that there is a great business opportunity aligned with a fantastic chance to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young people."
Image from the opening of the SHOKK gym at Bilston Leisure Centre, Wolverhampton
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