UK budget gym operator The Gym Group has appointed Jim Graham as chief operating officer.

Graham joined the business in April after leaving Phoenix Equity Partners, the group’s majority shareholder, where he has advised the management teams of a range of Phoenix investments, including The Gym Group.

Prior to joining the private equity industry, Graham was managing director of Orange’s 10 million customer, £1.1bn turnover, pay-as-you-go mobile business and also worked as a management consultant and engineer in the Royal Navy.

In his spare time, Graham is a long-distance triathlete and has competed in seven Ironman races including the World Championships in Hawaii.

“As an investor, Jim has a detailed understanding of our business and a natural affinity with our proposition,” said The Gym Group CEO John Treharne.

“Jim brings a huge amount of experience in commercial marketing of low-cost consumer businesses which will help us to deliver an even better customer experience and achieve our ambitious growth targets.”

Graham joins the fast expanding gym chain at an exciting time. On February 11, Pure Gym and The Gym Group announced plans to merge amid growing memberships at fitness clubs and growing consumer demand for competitively priced, flexible health and fitness club memberships.

Pending regulatory approval, the combination will create a national gym operator, comprising over 100 clubs in the UK fitness market. Following completion of the merger, it is intended that Graham will become commercial director of the new group.