Club Pilates has announced the signing of a master franchise agreement in the U.K. The pilates brand, owned by Xponential Fitness, has signed with Richard Uku, founder of Deblankson Fitness Group and a multi-unit franchisee of Club Pilates and sister brand, AKT, in the United States.
“Richard Uku is a seasoned Club Pilates owner and we look forward to teaming up with him to debut Club Pilates in the United Kingdom,” said John Kersh, chief international development officer of Xponential Fitness.
“We know that Richard will hone the skills he’s developed as an owner in the U.S. to bring the life-changing benefits of pilates to millions of Britons.”
Uku currently has six studios in New Jersey and New York. He was brought up and spent his formative years in the U.K. He attended college in the U.K. and began his career working in corporate finance in the City of London and moved back to Wall Street 20 years ago. In 2016, Uku got involved with Club Pilates and now has a desire to bring the brand to the U.K.
“In the U.K. today, pilates using the reformer and other equipment is still a niche offering within this market and there are no brands with a national presence,” said Uku.
“The Deblankson Fitness Group team is very excited to have the responsibility of bringing the Club Pilates brand to the U.K.”
