Empowering brands. Inspiring people.

More than a franchising company, Inspire Brands Asia is an opportunity to change lives.

It was formed to acquire the Master Franchisee license to the nine countries and territories of Anytime Fitness in Asia, roll up their respective gym management businesses, and introduce vibrant new concepts to capitalize on the booming fitness industry across the region.

The historic deal was closed amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, a testament to the confidence of Inspire Brands Asia in its capability to withstand crisis, bring its expertise to expand the business, and guide the world’s largest and number one gym portfolio to further success in the region.

OUR MISSION

To enable everyone to benefit from fitness, wellness, and health

By inspiring

  • People to lead more active lives
  • Fitness professionals to have fulfilling careers
  • Entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals
  • Investors to have a meaningful and diversified portfolio
Our Board
                       

Luke Guanlao

Board Director

Group Chief Executive Officer, Inspire Brands Asia

Luke has been with Anytime Fitness for over a decade starting with running multiple franchises in Sydney since 2010, whilst practicing as a senior corporate lawyer. Prior to the acquisition of Anytime Fitness Asia, Luke was the largest franchisee outside of the U.S. with over 60 clubs under co-ownership and management across 3 countries. Through his partnership with Anytime Fitness Asia, initially formed in 2015, and the experience gained in managing and supporting his Anytime Fitness club portfolio, Luke has developed an acute understanding of franchising and franchise operations and well poised to lead the Inspire Brands Asia team.

Luke holds a Bachelor of Laws (awarded with honours) from Bond University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Griffith University, and has been admitted to practice as a Lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Queensland.

Johannes Raadsma

Board Director

President, Inspire Brands Asia

Johannes Raadsma was the submaster franchisee of the Philippines, propelling the country as the fastest growing within the Anytime Fitness network and the number one gym brand in the country in less than two years. He opened the first gym in Manila to operational break even within one month of operations, and since then, has successfully sold over 30 are owned or operated under his managed services company. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from Macquarie University in Australia, he brings extensive experience across Asia and Australia in business and in sales and marketing, honed through various positions at Samsung Electronics and his own personal ventures.

Vince Yang

Board Director

Director, Mizuho Asia Partners

Vince is a Board Director at Mizuho Asia Partners, a Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm. He oversees the firm's investments in the Philippines and helps execute its investments across the region. Previously, Vince was in the investment team of Navegar, a Philippine-focused private equity firm. He holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics: Major in Mathematical Finance from the Ateneo de Manila University. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

Charles Wong

Board Observer

Non-Executive Director, Aura Group

Charles is a Non-Executive Director of Aura Group and a co-founder and managing partner of TNB Aura, Aura Group’s exclusive South East Asia venture capital investment vehicle.

Prior to joining Aura Group, Charles founded Capital Associates, a principal investment early-stage and growth equity firm. He also worked as a management consultant with Booz & Company with a key focus on corporate strategy and M&A. Charles also served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Groupon in Shanghai.

Charles possesses extensive venture capital and private equity experience across the Southeast Asia region with a particular focus on technology. Charles graduated from Harvard Business School as a George F. Baker Scholar and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales (first-class honours, and university medalist).

As a founding member of Inspire Brands Asia, Charles played a key role in steering the group structure to the industry juggernaut it is today.

Calvin Ng

Board Director

Managing Director, Aura Group

Calvin is co-founder and Managing Director of Aura Group. He has strong global experience as an entrepreneur, senior manager, board representative, corporate advisor and fund manager, across both private and public markets.

Prior to establishing Aura, Calvin worked at Everest Babcock & Brown, one of Australia’s largest absolute return investment managers. At EBB, Calvin was part of the Direct Investment Team focusing on high yield debt, listed equities and private equity investments. In this role he gained exposure to a wide range of industries, geographies and asset classes through the provision and investment of over AUD$1 billion in public and private market transactions in Australia, Europe and the USA.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) and Bachelor of Laws (with Merit) from the University of New South Wales. Calvin spent 6 months in an exchange program at the Graduate School of Law at the University of Texas, Austin, focusing on banking and financial services law.

Calvin has also completed the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and has been admitted to practice as a Lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Andrea Bell

Board Director

Chairperson, Global Health & Fitness Alliance

Andrea Bell was the submaster franchisee of Singapore from 2016 leading up to the formation of Inspire Brands Asia. During her tenure, she more than triples franchisee sales to 75 territories, and did the same with over 65 gym openings and counting. She started with Anytime Fitness as a franchisee, personally owning and operating three gyms. Aside from the role within Anytime Fitness, she is on the Board of Advisors for Fitness SG, is an Executive Committee Board member for Franchising & Licensing Association, and a Board Member of WIFA (Women in Fitness Industry). She is also involved in the Sports SG-ESG Fitness Industry Roundtable, created by Sports SG, a government body focused on fitness, and Enterprise SG, a government funding body.

Our Journey
2010

What would become Inspire Brands Asia in a decade’s time began as a single franchise in Australia for Luke Guanlao in 2010. He then opened his first Anytime Fitness gym in the Philippines in 2016, and became the country’s largest owner and managed services operator in less than three years’ time. Malaysia was his next conquest, where he doubled territory growth in less than 12 months.

2014

As Luke grew his franchise in Australia, Johannes Raadsma had taken the chance in Asia in 2014 as the submaster franchisee for the Philippines. In less than five years, he had created a network of almost 150 open gyms, dominating the market in every region.

At around the same time, Andrea Bell opened her first franchise and began her journey as the submaster franchisee for Singapore just as Luke opened his first gym in Asia.

2020

As the top three owners, operators, and managed services providers for 30% of the Anytime Fitness gyms in Asia, the idea for Inspire Brands Asia began in 2019, culminating in a landmark deal with lead investor Exacta Capital Partners and co-investor Aura Group by May 2020.

Inspire Brands Asia is formed to acquire the Anytime Fitness Asia Master Franchisee license across nine countries in Asia, and consolidate the combined managed services arm of both Luke and Johannes into Inspire Brands Capital.

2023

After steering Anytime Fitness out of the pandemic with record-high club and membership numbers beyond even pre-acquisition levels, Inspire Brands Asia expands its portfolio by acquiring the rights for fast-rising studio concept SUMHIIT Fitness, sister brand to Basecamp Fitness in the United States of America.

Our Culture

Inspire Brands Asia works to INSPIRE, through:

  • Integrity, by acting with honesty and authenticity
  • kNowledge, by constantly staying informed and improving
  • Straightforwardness, by delivering with sincerity
  • Poise, by demonstrating grace under pressure
  • Impartiality, by remaining independent and objective
  • Respect, by treating everyone as equals
  • Empathy, by understanding everyone’s needs and wants

Anytime, and anywhere, whether

  • At the gym, by delivering services competently and helpfully to clients, staff, and franchisees; helping them achieve their personal goals; and gaining their loyalty through amazing experiences with great facilities, programs, and services
  • In the workplace, by working together to create a successful and authentic organization informed by respect, passion, and excitement
  • Within the industry, by relentlessly pursuing improvement and innovation in pursuit of a better experience for clients, staff, and franchisees
  • And as part of a greater community, by doing good in the world, beginning with ourselves

Ready to make an impact?