An interview with Heather Frankham, CEO - Lifetime
How did you start in the fitness sector?
As a Physical Education Teacher, I chose to complete an Exercise to Music Qualification to enable me to provide an alternative activity for teenage girls that did not enjoy sport. I loved the initial training course and was soon persuaded to teach a few classes in the evenings at a local gym. As the numbers in the classes grew, I was asked to help the club re-work their aerobics programme and later to look at the development of the gym facility. I loved the buzz of the industry and decided to give up my teaching job and move into the fitness industry full time.
What's your proudest moment at work?
My proudest moment at work was at Lifetime's Company Conference last year - the company had trebled in size yet had achieved 3 key quality standards and an outstanding audit report. The whole team were there and the energy in the room was amazing - what more can a CEO ask for!
What do you enjoy most about working in fitness and leisure?
It is fantastic to work in an energetic environment on something that I am passionate about. Fitness and activity have the power to change people's lives, improving life expectancy but most importantly quality of life. Working with many inspiring people that share core values is a great privilege.
If you didn't work in this sector, what would you be doing?
I would work in any sector where people are core to the achievement of strategic goals. It would also need to be an ethical proposition where there was an opportunity to make a difference and make something happen.
Tell us something we would never guess about you?
I am a single mum that juggles a career with looking after a mischievously cheeky and very active four and a half year old!
When did you last exercise?
This morning - a quick run at home on the treadmill before work.
Are you more fit or less fit than you were 10 years ago?
My fitness now is about the same as it was 10 years ago - but it did take a big dip in the middle after having my daughter. This provided a very real insight into the challenges of remaining active when other things demand your time and how fitness can so significantly impact on the way you feel.
What media do you consume?
When I have the time, I love to sit down with a coffee and read the paper - unfortunately this only tends to happen at the weekend when my daughter can usually be distracted by a children's magazine for a while! I watch very little TV - although I have to confess that my Sky Plus system does record Casualty and Holby City each week - a kick back to my aspirations to be a doctor I think! Recently I started using Linked-in and despite being very sceptical initially I am beginning to see the benefits of social networking sites.
What's the best business book you have read?
I have two business books that have had a strong influence on me. Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Effective People" changed the way I approached so many things and really made me focus on what I wanted to achieve and who I wanted to be. Richard Branson's "Losing my Virginity" was also a very impactful book at the time I read it as his stories about the challenges of beginning a business yet his determination to do things that others thought impossible gave me the motivation to drive the business through the early years.
How would people describe you in three words?
Focused, determined but fair.
