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Humphrey Michael Cobbold (born 13 November 1964)[1] is the current chief executive officer of PureGym, the UK’s largest gym operator. He joined the business in 2015 when there were 84 gyms, growing the business to over 200 facilities in 2018. He oversaw the sale of the business for the founder (Peter Roberts) and investors from CCMP to Leonard Green & Partners in November 2017 for over £600m.
Humphrey Cobbold | |
|---|---|
| Born | Humphrey Michael Cobbold 13 November 1964 Nairobi, Kenya |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Title | CEO, PureGym |
| Spouse |
Nicola Hacker (m. 1991) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Robert Runcie (uncle) |
Early life and education
editCobbold was born on 13 November 1964 in Nairobi, Kenya.[2][3] He was educated at Bromsgrove School,[4] an independent boarding and day school in the Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, followed by the University of Cambridge and INSEAD, from which he obtained an MBA.[5]
Career
editCobbold is the former chief executive officer of Wiggle Ltd - a UK-based online retailer of cycling and triathlon-related products. He is a former chairman of Fish4, a British recruitment website,[6] as well as the Director of Strategic Development and executive committee member of Trinity Mirror.[7]
Before joining Fish4 and Trinity Mirror, he was a partner[7] and the co-head of the UK media practice for the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
Before he went into politics, Cobbold was taught in secondary school by prominent UK politician Edwina Currie.
Leaving Wiggle
editIn September 2009, Humphrey Cobbold began his position as the CEO of Wiggle Ltd., a Portsmouth-based online retailer. He headed the bicycle online retailer during some trying times, including during the period when Bridgepoint was in the process of acquiring Wiggle Ltd. In late 2013, Cobbold departed from Wiggle as its CEO and in September of that year, his successor would be Stefan Barden. While Cobbold captained Wiggle Ltd. the company saw its annual sales revenues increase from 33 million pounds to a little over 140 million pounds; Cobbold described managing the company while it was experiencing speedy and high growth as "trying to ride a tiger".
Upon leaving Wiggle Ltd. as its CEO, Cobbold stated:
“I have had the privilege to work with a truly fabulous group of colleagues and business partners over the last four years. The time is now right for someone else to lead the peloton and take Wiggle forward to future success.”[8]
He has since been linked to a bid to buy the internet retailer sofa.com.[9]
PureGym
editSince 2013 Cobbold has been serving as the CEO of PureGym, a network of 264 gyms with more than 1.1 million members. In 2019 PureGym acquired Fitness World.[10][11]
Personal life
editCobbold is married to Nicola and has three children. His brother Tim is the former chief executive of UBM plc. Cobbold is the nephew of Robert Runcie, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.[12][2]
References
edit- ^ "Humphrey Michael Cobbold". Cobbold family tree. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ a b Evans, Peter (4 March 2018). "How PureGym's Humphrey Cobbold built up a fitness empire". The Sunday Times.
- ^ Lynch, Andrew (22 April 2012). "Leading edge: Humphrey Cobbold". The Sunday Times.
- ^ "PureGym CEO: Bromsgrove gym overdue, says former town student". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Wood, Zoe (17 September 2010). "Wiggle puts enthusiast in the saddle in pursuit of the 'mamil'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ "Online Recruitment - fish4 appoints new Chief Executive Officer". Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ a b "The unholy Trinity of slash, save and sell off". The Independent. London. Retrieved 27 October 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Humphrey Cobbold leaves Wiggle CEO role; Jonathon Harker; Bike Biz; September 3, 2013
- ^ Marlow, Ben (11 October 2014). "Wiggling-towards-the-sofa.com". The Telegraph. Bristol. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ Media, Insider. "PureGym to acquire European fitness company". Insider Media Ltd. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Humphrey Cobbold". SRI. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Hellier, David (15 April 2016). "Humphrey Cobbold: Boss of budget gym chain fitter for purpose after swapping suit for Lycra". Evening Standard.
- Fat Face owner buys Wiggle; Carlton Reid; Bike Biz; December 7, 2011
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