Harm Tegelaars, Founder and CEO of Cannons Health & Fitness in the UK, was named IHRSA's 2005 European Club Operator of the Year at IHRSA's 5th Annual European Congress, which was held in October in Rome. The award was presented at a special dinner and awards ceremony, sponsored by Technogym, at the Risto Theatro.
Tegelaars, a native of Holland who got his start in the health and fitness business as a squash teacher in the UK, opened his first club in 1980. That facility became the first in a chain that today has three brands, more than 60 clubs, and over 3,500 employees. He continued to lead the company even after taking it public nine years ago and was in the forefront of a management buyout that took the company private again a few years ago.
"He has survived and thrived in an ever-changing, ever challenging business," said John Gamble, Director of Sales for Technogym in the UK, in presenting the award. Gamble commented that Tegelaars is one of the most respected and admired health and fitness industry leaders in Europe and one of the most admired industry visionaries worldwide.
"The most significant thing about Harm is not the enviable business that he has built," said John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA, commenting on the award. "It is his willingness to put his own self-interest aside in favour of doing what is best for the industry."
Tegelaars was instrumental in shaping the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) in the UK, serving as its Chair at one point, and remains active with that organisation as its Vice Chair. He also helped to found the Business in Sport and Leisure government lobby group and played a key role in the development of the Chief Medical Officer's Report, which serves as an endorsement for regular exercise by the UK's highest medical authority.
"We are truly fortunate that this man chose our industry to call home," McCarthy said. "He is a good man, a great colleague, and a giant among industry leaders."
