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NEWS
F45 names Mark Wahlberg as chief brand officer and Tom Dowd as CEO as Adam Gilchrist resigns
POSTED 24 Apr 2023 . BY Tom Walker
Wahlberg is an investor in F45 and has been a member of the company's board since March 2019 Credit: F45
Franchised fitness operator, F45, has named Tom Dowd as its new CEO
Dowd – one of the early investors in F45 – succeeds outgoing interim CEO, Ben Coates
F45 investor, actor Mark Wahlberg, has also been named F45’s chief brand officer
Co-founder Adam Gilchrist has resigned from the board
More big moves are underway at F45, as the company reboots its senior management team with the appointment of Tom Dowd as CEO and Mark Wahlberg as chief brand officer. Co-founder Adam Gilchrist resigned from the board on 21 April. He had previously stepped down as CEO in July 2022.

Dowd – an early investor in F45 – succeeds outgoing interim CEO, Ben Coates, who stepped in on Gilchrist's resignation. He remains on the company’s board of directors.

Prior to his new role, he spent 25 years at GNC Holdings in a variety of executive leadership roles and, more recently, co-founded lifestyle nutrition company Performance Inspired.

Actor Mark Wahlberg has been a member of the F45 board since March 2019 and worked with Dowd on Performance Inspired.

Gilchrist, who had a background in franchising collaborated with F45 founder, Rob Deutsch. They went on to establish F45 in Sydney in 2014.

The major executive moves follow the company’s recent announcement that it had secured US$90m worth of new financing to improve its balance sheet from a consortium of investors led by Kennedy Lewis Management, which made an unsolicited bid for the business in September 2022.

Gene Davis, chair of F45, said: "“Tom has significant experience building successful franchise model and consumer goods businesses, cultivating globally resonant lifestyle brands, and developing high-performing teams, making him well suited to lead F45 into the future.

"We're also thrilled that Mark will be deepening his involvement with F45 and look forward to benefitting from his unique blend of business acumen and branding expertise.

"I'm confident that under the leadership of Tom, Mark, and the rest of the management team, F45 will be poised to build on its strengths while evolving to unlock its full potential.

"As we look ahead to the significant opportunities in front of us, I would also like to thank Ben for his contributions as interim CEO during a period of transition.”

Commenting on his new role, Walhberg said: “Just like our incredible training community, F45 has been laser-focused in recent months on getting stronger and stronger.

“I'm confident in our ability to enhance what I believe is already the world’s best workout for studio operators and our more than 300,000 committed members across the globe.”

The company continues to grapple with some fundamental issues and on 14 April, it received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange indicating that it is not in compliance as a result of its failure to file its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022.

NYSE has granted an extension to enable the company to regain compliance before delisting proceedings begin in six months if the accounts are not forthcoming.

F45 has stated that it expects to backdate changes to the results of its 2021 annual report, including increases in allowances for doubtful and bad debts and the downgrading in value of assets acquired by the Company.

F45 was valued at US$1.4bn after its IPO in 2021. Its share prices indicate a current value of US$74.33m – a 90 per cent drop over the last year.

RELATED STORIES
  US judge rules in favour of BFT declaring F45 patent ‘invalid’


In the latest legal battle between Australian franchise chain Body Fit Training (BFT) and US- based F45 Training, a federal district court in Delaware, US, has ruled in favour of BFT, describing F45’s patent as ‘invalid’.
  F45 is launching its FS8 concept in the US, Canada and UK


FS8 the fitness concept combining Pilates, toning exercises and yoga from functional training franchiser F45, has opened its first London club. Located in Oxford Circus, the company plans to launch more UK clubs, as well as expand into the US and Canada, over the next twelve months.
  F45 receives unsolicited US$385m takeover bid


F45 Training has confirmed it received an “unsolicited preliminary non-binding proposal” from Kennedy Lewis Investment Management (KLIM) to acquire the company. The deal would see KLIM purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, at a price per share equal to US$4.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
F45 names Mark Wahlberg as chief brand officer and Tom Dowd as CEO as Adam Gilchrist resigns
POSTED 24 Apr 2023 . BY Tom Walker
Wahlberg is an investor in F45 and has been a member of the company's board since March 2019 Credit: F45
Franchised fitness operator, F45, has named Tom Dowd as its new CEO
Dowd – one of the early investors in F45 – succeeds outgoing interim CEO, Ben Coates
F45 investor, actor Mark Wahlberg, has also been named F45’s chief brand officer
Co-founder Adam Gilchrist has resigned from the board
More big moves are underway at F45, as the company reboots its senior management team with the appointment of Tom Dowd as CEO and Mark Wahlberg as chief brand officer. Co-founder Adam Gilchrist resigned from the board on 21 April. He had previously stepped down as CEO in July 2022.

Dowd – an early investor in F45 – succeeds outgoing interim CEO, Ben Coates, who stepped in on Gilchrist's resignation. He remains on the company’s board of directors.

Prior to his new role, he spent 25 years at GNC Holdings in a variety of executive leadership roles and, more recently, co-founded lifestyle nutrition company Performance Inspired.

Actor Mark Wahlberg has been a member of the F45 board since March 2019 and worked with Dowd on Performance Inspired.

Gilchrist, who had a background in franchising collaborated with F45 founder, Rob Deutsch. They went on to establish F45 in Sydney in 2014.

The major executive moves follow the company’s recent announcement that it had secured US$90m worth of new financing to improve its balance sheet from a consortium of investors led by Kennedy Lewis Management, which made an unsolicited bid for the business in September 2022.

Gene Davis, chair of F45, said: "“Tom has significant experience building successful franchise model and consumer goods businesses, cultivating globally resonant lifestyle brands, and developing high-performing teams, making him well suited to lead F45 into the future.

"We're also thrilled that Mark will be deepening his involvement with F45 and look forward to benefitting from his unique blend of business acumen and branding expertise.

"I'm confident that under the leadership of Tom, Mark, and the rest of the management team, F45 will be poised to build on its strengths while evolving to unlock its full potential.

"As we look ahead to the significant opportunities in front of us, I would also like to thank Ben for his contributions as interim CEO during a period of transition.”

Commenting on his new role, Walhberg said: “Just like our incredible training community, F45 has been laser-focused in recent months on getting stronger and stronger.

“I'm confident in our ability to enhance what I believe is already the world’s best workout for studio operators and our more than 300,000 committed members across the globe.”

The company continues to grapple with some fundamental issues and on 14 April, it received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange indicating that it is not in compliance as a result of its failure to file its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022.

NYSE has granted an extension to enable the company to regain compliance before delisting proceedings begin in six months if the accounts are not forthcoming.

F45 has stated that it expects to backdate changes to the results of its 2021 annual report, including increases in allowances for doubtful and bad debts and the downgrading in value of assets acquired by the Company.

F45 was valued at US$1.4bn after its IPO in 2021. Its share prices indicate a current value of US$74.33m – a 90 per cent drop over the last year.

RELATED STORIES
US judge rules in favour of BFT declaring F45 patent ‘invalid’


In the latest legal battle between Australian franchise chain Body Fit Training (BFT) and US- based F45 Training, a federal district court in Delaware, US, has ruled in favour of BFT, describing F45’s patent as ‘invalid’.
F45 is launching its FS8 concept in the US, Canada and UK


FS8 the fitness concept combining Pilates, toning exercises and yoga from functional training franchiser F45, has opened its first London club. Located in Oxford Circus, the company plans to launch more UK clubs, as well as expand into the US and Canada, over the next twelve months.
F45 receives unsolicited US$385m takeover bid


F45 Training has confirmed it received an “unsolicited preliminary non-binding proposal” from Kennedy Lewis Investment Management (KLIM) to acquire the company. The deal would see KLIM purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, at a price per share equal to US$4.
MORE NEWS
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell.
Belgin Aksoy marks 15 years of Global Wellness Day
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N launches longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Knesko Skin

Known for their unique approach to wellness and beauty, Knesko’s products combine ancient healing tr [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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