McCall jets in as boss of ITV

The UK boss of Virgin Active wants to grow the gym chain by at least a third.

Competition from budget rivals saw the fitness firm’s number of clubs fall from 122 to 46. But boss Robert Cook wants to expand that by 15 to 20 “depending on finding the right sites”. His plans include offering dedicated studio-based classes to cater for changing fitness demands, along with other ideas to inspire Robert Cook members to stay with Virgin Active longer. But Cook, who used to run hotel chain Malmaison, raised concerns about getting the right staff after Brexit, with 16% of his employees coming from the rest of the EU.

He said: “If there is one thing that keeps me up at night it’s the labour pool going forward.”

Virgin Active is nearly 80% owned by South African investor Brait. EasyJet’s boss has been poached to run ITV with a potential £5million a year pay and perks package.

Carolyn McCall will swap bargain flights for Good Morning Britain as the broadcaster’s new chief executive.

McCall, who has led easyJet for seven years and was boss of Guardian Media Group before that, could rake in a packet if ITV does well.

On top of a £900,000 a year salary, the 55-year-old will also get a £135,000 annual pension perk and up to £3m a year in bonuses.

If that weren’t enough, ITV will also give her a shares bonanza to replace those she is giving up by leaving easyJet.

But she won’t start until next January, six months after Adam Crozier stepped down as ITV chief executive. PAY BONANZA Carolyn McCall