10 Apr 2024
Jason Worthy joins Myzone as group CEO to drive international growth
BY Kath Hudson
Jason Worthy has been appointed group CEO of Myzone to lead the 'next stage of growth', with current group CEO, David Stalker, stepping back to take up an advisory role.
Worthy has held a series of leadership roles in the industry, including being president of Life Fitness and leading it through a private equity transaction in 2019, before joining its parent company, Brunswick as vice president.
He was also the CEO of Anytime Fitness UK until September last year and in December joined the advisory board of equipment supplier, Stronger Wellness, as well as supporting ice bath specialist, Plunge, to develop an international growth strategy.
Between leaving Anytime Fitness and joining Myzone, Worthy stepped out of the corporate world to work as a personal coach and consultant, supporting startups and growth businesses using experience gained during a recent masters degree in outdoor wellbeing and nature connection to support both executives and organisations in becoming more resilient.
Speaking of his new role, he said: “I’ve used Myzone consistently for more than four years and am honoured to have the opportunity to lead a business that has supported my own wellbeing journey, as well as hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world, through its unique, community-driven wearable technology.
“I very much look forward to working with David Stalker and the leadership team on this next phase of Myzone’s journey, breaking down barriers and getting more people engaged in meaningful movement.”
Stalker will continue to support global expansion and networking projects as a strategic advisor, but will step down from day-to-day duties.
“The last five years have been an incredible journey with Myzone,” he says. “I'm proud of what we've accomplished together and am delighted to remain involved as a strategic advisor. Jay and I have been long-time friends and colleagues in the industry and his appointment brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge to help drive future growth.”
Myzone founder, Dave Wright, says: “Jay’s extensive industry experience, not to mention his personal Myzone Hall of Fame status, uniquely positions him to lead the company through this next phase of growth. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to David Stalker for his support, leadership and dedication to Myzone. His continued involvement will be instrumental as we move forwards.”
In the short term, Myzone will remain focused on developing MZ-Open, its ecosystem access for club members via Apple and Android smartwatches. Longer-term, Wright says the Myzone leadership team will be focused on expanding the brand’s worldwide reach and influence, supporting industry bodies, club operators and international governments in their bid to tackle the world’s inactivity crisis by "connecting the world through effort and movement".
Worthy is hitting the ground running, joining the Myzone leadership team at FIBO this week (11-12 April 2024) in Cologne to meet with existing partners and explore new opportunities.
Myzone took on £17.2m of investment in January 2022 from BGF (originally Business Growth Fund), an organisation founded after the 2008 financial crash by a group of banks to drive investment in the UK. It also took in £2.5m of investment from tech specialist, Vin Murria.
At the time there was talk of an IPO, but this has not been pursued to date. It's thought the business will have a strategic reboot under Worthy to refocus on international growth.
In March, Myzone founder Dave Wright told an audience at PerformX that running a growth business, as opposed to a lifestyle business, comes with some frustrations, explaining: “If you raise money you’re at the mercy of those who invested.”
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