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TEAM PROFILE
GOLD’S is promoted by extremely well known entities: Valecha Engineering- led by Jagdish Valecha, the Sun-n-Sand group- led by Rajesh Advani and G. Ramachandran, who are all individually as passionate about fitness as they are about the companies they lead. Istayak Ansari with his expertise in Management skills is the Chief Operating Officer. Collectively they have been assigned as master franchisers for GOLD’S in India and the neighbouring countries. GOLD’S will go on to open branches in other locations in Mumbai, other parts of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
The Promoters are well backed by a young and energetic team of extremely knowledgeable and experienced personnel all trained to get the best out of an aspiring individual.
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JAGDISH K VALECHA – CHAIRMAN
Soon after Graduation, J.K.Valecha was at the helm of affairs and got involved in the Infrastructure/ Construction Business. His ability in the field of evaluation of projects, planning the future course of action, and project implementation skills saw him taking challenges in setting new standards and getting cutting edge technology in the Civil Construction sphere. J.K.Valecha, with this risk taking ability and quick decision-making, made rapid progress in taking Valecha Engineering Ltd. to great heights by bagging prestigious projects on a global bidding basis. The Valecha group has got interests in Construction, Power Transmission & Green Field Investment.
He is the prime mover in bringing GOLD'S GYM to India with a mission for GOLD'S GYM - “When Indians think of Fitness, they think of GOLD'S GYM”.
He is a keen sports enthusiast with special interests in water sports like skiing, kayaking, rafting and scuba diving. He cherishes the dream of making fitness a way of life with Indians.
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RAJESH ADVANI – DIRECTOR
On graduation with a Masters in Hospitality Management from Cornell University in 1996, Rajesh, a second generation entrepreneur, took over as head of the Sun-n-Sand Group. He brings with him his association with the hospitality field and heads the group with a view to consolidate its brand strength.
A hectic schedule does not keep Rajesh away from pursuing other interests. He is a health and fitness buff and an avid follower of cricket. He does not miss out his regular morning workouts, no matter where he is. He enjoys playing tennis, badminton and table tennis. The concept to provide world-class fitness standards in India was followed up with intense research across the globe culminating in the signing up with the leaders in fitness- GOLD'S GYM.
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G RAMACHANDRAN – DIRECTOR
A mentor capitalist with impeccable entrepreneurial spirit and financial expertise has evolved beyond spreadsheets and scripted new success stories from new economy start ups like Tower Capital, Karrox, Key Profiles, Safe House & USP Age.
A perpetual quest to explore new horizons of a fast changing global scenario made
G. Ramachandran to go through a metamorphosis and turn in to a mentor capitalist. At GOLD'S GYM, G. Ramachandran is spearheading the global fitness leader with his new vision and fiscal stratagem.
In his past avatar G.R. (as he is popularly known) is a qualified Chartered Accountant (C.A.) from Price Waterhouse Coopers. Has over 20 years experience in Investment Banking, Consulting, Business Process and Organizational Development. He had an incredible track record with Ernst & Young, JM Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Reliance Capital & The Times of India Group to name a few.
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ASHWIN RAMESH – DIRECTOR
Ashwin, A Law Graduate and Chartered Accountant by profession has trained with Hindustan Lever Ltd. He has developed Real Estate and Properties around Mumbai including Commercial buildings in Navi Mumbai and a residential complex at Khandala by putting in infrastructure viz. roads, electricity, water supply, etc., catering to senior corporate heads of multinationals, professionals and businessmen.
He has written several articles on real estate in leading publications, in India and overseas while managing a well diversified portfolio of investments in Real Estate and real estate related financial instruments spanning Mumbai and Bangalore. Past President of Cathedral and John Connon Alumni Association and an active member of Rotary Club of Bombay, his interest in fitness has led him to be a part of the GOLD'S team.
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KARAN VALECHA – DIRECTOR
A Bachelors of Management Studies (BMS) Graduate specializing in International Finance and Special Studies in Marketing, Karan Valecha began working with Global Financial Firm JP Morgan Chase (India) soon after graduation in the Corporate Planning and Analysis Team. In 2007, he began work on establishing ‘Club Privada’ as India’s premier yacht membership club – a startup venture. Today, he is an Executive at Valecha Engineering Limited in the Business Development and Tendering Team whose target is to get INR 2500 Cr worth of projects for the company in the next 2 years.
He is a keen sports and fitness enthusiast and an avid follower of football. He has special interests in all adventure sports including scuba diving, skiing, sky diving, bungee jumping, rafting and anything Extreme!
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ISTAYAK ANSARI - CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Istayak, is an MBA specializing in Marketing from MET (Mumbai ) and M. Com specializing in Business Management from Mumbai University.
Istayak started his career with Zee Education in 2001 as Manager Sales. During his tenure with Zee he had the highest number of franchisee sign ups to his credit and was the youngest Sales Manager. He joined Gold's Gym India in 2005 as Franchise Manager and is currently heading the company as Chief Operating Officer. Istayak is instrumental in taking the company from 5 gyms across 3 cities in 2004 to 80+ gyms across 45 cities in a short span of 8 years. Istayak’s vision is to set up 150+ gyms across 90+ cities in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand & Malaysia by 2015. Istayak is the youngest COO in the Health and Wellness industry in South East Asia managing and growing the most respectful and most successful international gym chain in the world in the Asian sub continent. Today Gold's Gym has the largest footprint outside US in India.
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ALTHEA SHAH – VICE PRESIDENT – MARKETING & FITNESS EXPERT
Althea Shah is the head of Marketing and Public Relations of Gold’s Gym India.
Althea formulates, directs and coordinates marketing activities and policies for promotion of Gold’s Gym’s products and services. She works on the Development and Implementation of communication strategies along with strategic alliances to showcase Brand ‘Gold’s Gym’.
Althea has been a keen sportsperson herself playing different sports like hockey, throw ball, lawn tennis & cycling. Her aim is to make ‘FITNESS A LIFESTYLE’ – a necessity not a luxury. She plans to make more and more people aware of the importance of being fit and healthy through planned activities, workshops and training sessions.
Althea holds a Masters degree in business administration with the specialization in Marketing
from the Mumbai University and is a qualified fitness professional certified in Fitness Management, Personal Training & Group Exercise both in Aerobics and Schwin Cycle Spinning.
Under her aegis Gold’s Gym India won the Best Marketing Award amongst 700 Gold’s Gyms worldwide.
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SHRADDHA SHETH - GENERAL MANAGER - SALES
A Major in Life Sciences with a Distinction and Post Graduation in Dietetics, Shraddha joined Gold’s Gym in Feb – 2003. During her last 4 years with Gold’s Gym, she has risen in ranks from a Nutritionist to a Fitness Consultant, to a Sales Head, Sales Manager and now General Manager - Sales. Shraddha handles the sales of Gold’s Gym which includes Monitoring and Supervision of sales staff, planning detailed Budgets including segment wise analysis of revenue, sales evaporation, quality of sales and effective customer relationship and PR with customers.
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NIKHIL KAKKAR – ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER - FRANCHISING AND OPERATIONS
Nikhil Kakkar has been spearheading the expansion of Gold’s Gym for the last 3 years.
Nikhil takes total responsibility of Gym layout planning and Equipment procurement. He helps the franchisees with Presales planning including Staff recruitment & Coordination for training of staff.
Nikhil gives hands on support in Operations, Marketing & Sales.
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MUNIRA JAWADWALA - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER - TRAINING & SPORTS NUTRITION
Munira Jawadwala is Head of Sports Nutrition department at Gold’s Gym.
Munira is also key lecturer and Head of Department of the Gold’s Gym University- GGU teaching subjects like Basic Nutrition, Supplementation, Sports Nutrition, Energy Systems and Cardio Vascular Regulation.
Munira has counseled numerous high profile clients with weight related problems, and have helped them to achieve their goals. Munira is also among the very few sports Nutritionists in the country who has actually utilized her skills on the sports field. Munira has counseled professional cricketers under 9 years of age, tennis players and state level swimmers. Munira was also the nutritionist for many runners during the Mumbai Marathon in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
In addition to her work with athletes, Munira has also written articles for magazines like Savvy,
Man’s world, Newsletters like Mid-day, Times Wellness and Websites like www.neulifenutrition.com & www. Shaadi.com
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POOJA THAKUR – HEAD AD-SALES
Pooja Thakur has spearheaded the AD-Sales for Golds Gym India and has ensured that ‘Golds Gym’ becomes a part of every Marketing Managers brand campaign.
Pooja’s key roles include ‘Space Selling’ across all Gyms Pan India and aid marketing campaigns by virtue of generating partnerships & sponsorships.
From Health to Luxury to Lifestyle, Pooja has dealt with over 800 brands across all segments including Pepsi, GSK, Nike BMW, Cadbury etc since the last 5 years. Under her aegis Gold’s Gym has associated with the World’s Best Brands.
Pooja is a postgraduate in bio-technology from Jai hind college and Masters from the Mumbai University.
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BHAVNA M HARCHANDRAI: HOD - GROUP EXERCISE
Having been the Sports Captain in school, Bhavna has always had an interest in fitness. She completed her certifications in Group Exercise and Personal Training by Biokinetix (affiliated to NIKE) in 1998 and has been conducting classes in aerobics, step, stability ball, box-er-cise, bootcamp, pilates, power yoga and strength training ever since.
She also holds an international certification by American Council on Exercise in Personal Training (April 2009) and has written fitness-related articles for major publications such as Bombay Times, Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, Sunday Midday and Afternoon Despatch and Courier.
In a career spanning over 12 years she has worked for Pure Energy studio ( a Shapoorji Pallonji Enterprise), Moksh ( PNC), Cathedral and John Connon Junior school and the Taj, Wellington Mews
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VIDISHA ROY: HOD - SPINNING
An avid sports enthusiast Vidisha has been an Ace in outdoor track and field sports and has won medals right through her school & college representation at state and district levels for over 10 years.With previous stints as an interior designer and then as a flight attendant, Vidisha is now completely into Fitness.
Vidisha Roy is the Head of the Spinning Department. A qualified gym instructor through Talwalkars Fitness Academy and a certified spinning instructor through Schwinn-Switzerland and Johnny G-U.S.A, she runs the department including conducting classes herself. She has trained Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar, Bipasha Basu, Neelam Kothari, Eshha Koppikar, Neha Dhupia, Dia Mirza, Aditi Govitrikar, Sohail Khan, Kelly Dorji and many more.
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