Les Mills International has appointed Jason Paris as its new CEO, bringing one of New Zealand’s highest-profile transformation and Technology leaders into the fitness industry.
Paris has extensive experience in consumer brands, AI and digital transformation and will assume operational leadership from managing director Phillip Mills on 6 October.
Mills, who will move to a founder and director role, says Paris will bring deep commercial and transformation experience to the company’s next phase of Development: “Jason is an exceptional leader – truly as good as you get – and we’re delighted he’s decided to join us.
“He brings deep commercial expertise, a modern leadership style and a clear passion for building high-performing teams and strong cultures.
“I stepped back into the leadership of the business following the departure of our previous CEO, with a clear three-year commitment to complete a strategy reset and return the company to solid growth, following the disruption caused by COVID across the global gym industry.
“With the business on a strong footing and well-positioned for further Expansion, now is the right time for me to hand over leadership to an energetic new CEO who can take us into our next chapter.”
Paris has built his career transforming major consumer-facing businesses and creating Partnerships that extend their reach. He helped develop TVNZ OnDemand, then supported Telecom New Zealand’s rebrand when it became Spark and its subsequent partnership with Spotify.
Most recently, he led the reinvention of Vodafone New Zealand into One NZ and oversaw its Collaboration with SpaceX, which delivered what the company describes as the world’s first nationwide satellite-to-mobile service, connecting People in remote areas and strengthening communications resilience during emergencies.
Paris said: “I’ve always admired New Zealand brands that have a real impact globally and Les Mills International has done exactly that. It has an outstanding team, an iconic brand and incredible opportunities ahead.
“It’s an enormous privilege to be joining the business to help lead the next phase of growth,” he continued. “What Phillip, Jackie and the Mills family have built over many decades is one of New Zealand’s great business success stories.”
“Every great business I’ve worked in has one thing in common: obsession over the needs of the customer,” he continued.
“Les Mills is a great example of this, with an incredible global network of instructors, club partners and participants. I can’t wait to start learning from them and supporting their success as we accelerate our mission to create a fitter planet.”
