Lee Smith
Tranent
Summary
Senior operational leader with 20+ years' experience delivering operational improvement, people-led change, service transformation and commercial performance across complex, customer-facing and multi-department environments. Currently General Manager at JD GYM Edinburgh West, with accountability for people, performance, facilities, compliance, customer experience and implementation of operational improvements. Previously General Manager at Bannatyne Health Club & Spa, leading 60+ colleagues and a multi-service operation through significant commercial, operational and capital change. Experienced in translating strategic objectives into practical delivery, engaging stakeholders, coordinating contractors and suppliers, embedding new processes and standards, managing risk and maintaining business continuity during change. Strong track record of measurable improvement, including a £1m+ redevelopment, membership growth from 4,200 to 5,000+, 10% post-redevelopment uplift, sustained 5% annual revenue growth and significant growth in Personal Training revenue. Brings a practical, people-focused approach to change, with strong governance, accountability and continuous improvement. Target roles: Change Manager | Change & Transformation Manager | Business Improvement Manager | Operational Transformation Manager | Implementation Manager | Project / Programme Operations Manager Positioning: Practical change leader with extensive General Management experience, combining people leadership, operational delivery, commercial accountability, project coordination, stakeholder management, governance and continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
GENERAL MANAGER
JD GYM EDINBURGH WEST
07.2026 - Current
- Led day-to-day operational performance, ensuring alignment across people, commercial delivery, facilities, compliance, customer experience and service standards.
- Identified operational gaps, implementing improvements in processes, staffing, facilities and customer journey to enhance overall service delivery.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, capability development and performance management, supporting teams through new processes and operational expectations.
- Use KPIs, performance reviews and operational reporting to identify priorities, track delivery and drive improvement.
- Work with internal stakeholders, suppliers, contractors and external partners to deliver agreed outcomes.
- Coordinate facilities, maintenance, contractors and suppliers to protect business continuity, asset condition and operational standards.
- Promoted a safe working environment by implementing regulatory standards, policies and guidelines.
- Trained and mentored employees to maximise team performance.
- Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.
- Created and distributed communication materials to enhance team collaboration during meetings. and information for meetings.
- Adhered to project timelines by implementing effective scheduling strategies. using excellent planning and coordination skills.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINER, ASSESSOR & PRESENTER
LES MILLS
01.2002 - Current
- Personally trained 6,000+ instructors worldwide and presented to audiences exceeding 3,000 at major industry events.
- Deliver international education, certification and quality assurance programmes across the global fitness industry.
- Conducted internal quality assurance for 70 international trainers, assessing standards and coaching quality to enhance programme delivery.
- Developed leaders and instructors through structured feedback and performance assessment, fostering continuous improvement in training outcomes.
- Cultivated strong professional relationships with clients, driving business retention and increasing referral rates.
- Prepared reports explaining assessment results and outlining methods used.
- Conducted analysis of local market trends to identify patterns and shifts in consumer behaviour. to provide accurate valuation advice to clients and stakeholders.
- Conducted analysis of local market trends to identify patterns and shifts in consumer behaviour to provide accurate valuation advice to clients and stakeholders.
- Prepared comprehensive appraisal reports, documenting findings and supporting valuation conclusions.
ECS LABOUR SUBCONTRACTOR
GOOGLE LONDON HEADQUARTERS, KING'S CROSS
04.2026 - 06.2026
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary contractors and engineering teams to uphold health & safety, security, and site protocols.
- Contributed to timely project delivery while maintaining operational standards and compliance.
- Facilitated technical and infrastructure operations in complex corporate project environments, ensuring alignment with project goals.
GENERAL MANAGER
BANNATYNE HEALTH CLUB & SPA, EDINBURGH
01.2022 - 03.2026
- Held full operational and commercial accountability for a complex premium health club, leading 60+ colleagues across multiple departments.
- Led operational improvement across Spa, Hair & Beauty, Fitness, Membership Sales, Café Bar, Reception, Maintenance and Domestic functions.
- Directed a £1m+ redevelopment programme, coordinating contractors, stakeholders, service continuity and operational requirements.
- Grew active membership from 4,200 to 5,000+ and supported a further 10% growth following redevelopment.
- Delivered sustained 5% annual revenue growth, increased Personal Training revenue sevenfold and improved secondary commercial contribution.
- Managed suppliers and contractors while overseeing recruitment, performance, operational issues, and cross-functional improvement projects to enhance service delivery.
- Ensured compliance with statutory safety governance and maintained operational standards across facilities, contributing to a safe and efficient environment.
- Controlled expenses and allocated financial resources to reach budget goals.
- Managed financial budgets, forecasting, and reporting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
- Built successful business culture focused on performance optimisation and goal attainment.
- Developed successful strategies and policies, meeting organisational needs and implementing improvements.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Led a team of 50+ employees, fostering a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
- Cultivated industry relationships to enhance service promotion and streamline business operations, resulting in improved market presence.
LEISURE MANAGER
LIVINGWELL HEALTH CLUB, EDINBURGH AIRPORT
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Restored membership to 100% of pre-pandemic levels and increased secondary revenue contribution from 6% to 20%.
- Oversaw leisure operations, staff, customer experience, recruitment, onboarding, financial controls, and supplier relationships to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Managed Duty Manager responsibilities in an operation serving around 1,000 daily visitors, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
- Ensured 100% Health & Safety compliance while upholding operational standards in a high-volume environment.
REGIONAL TRAINING COORDINATOR
LES MILLS UK
01.2002 - 01.2019
- Managed regional instructor development, ensured KPI delivery, maintained licensing compliance, and provided operational support for club partners to enhance overall programme effectiveness.
- Collaborated with club stakeholders to launch programmes, implement commercial strategies, and drive performance improvements that align with organisational goals.
- Supported recruitment efforts, strengthened club partnerships, coordinated instructor deployment and timetabling, and developed strategies to increase attendance and capacity.
GYM INSTRUCTOR & DUTY MANAGER
HORNCHURCH SPORTS CENTRE
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Supervised operations across gym, reception and catering, managing approximately 30 staff to maintain service quality.
- Coordinated daily service delivery and staff deployment, enhancing customer experience and ensuring operational standards.
- Monitored client progress through regular assessments, adjusting fitness plans to maximise results.
- Ensured clients stayed safe throughout fitness workouts by closely monitoring individuals throughout classes.
- Helped clients reach personal goals by planning exercise routines, designed for body type and ideal weight loss target.
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT, LANDSCAPING & HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS
SELF-EMPLOYED / CONTRACT-BASED
- Managed end-to-end customer projects, coordinating trades and suppliers, controlling schedules and budgets, and delivering work safely to agreed deadlines.
Education
GCSEs -
Emerson Park Academy
Hornchurch, EssexActive level 3 eduncation and training
Active IQ
Skills
- Operational Change & Continuous Improvement
- Change Implementation & Service Transformation
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- People Leadership, Coaching & Adoption
- Process Improvement & Operational Standards
- Project & Capital Programme Delivery
- Business Continuity, Risk & Issue Resolution
- Performance Management, KPIs & Benefits Tracking
- Contractor, Supplier & Partner Coordination
- Health & Safety, Compliance & Governance
- Resource Planning & Workforce Deployment
- Commercial Performance, P&L & Cost Control
- Operations management
- Team building
- Leadership development
- Performance monitoring
- Budget management
- Facilities management
- Health and safety
- KPI analysis
- Employee training
- Leadership excellence
- Budget planning and forecasting
- Revenue growth
- Budgeting
Certification
ECS Green Card Holder, CITB Health & Safety Awareness Certified, Full UK Driving Licence
Accomplishments
- Led multidisciplinary teams of 60+ across fitness, membership sales, spa, hair & beauty, café/bar, reception, maintenance and domestic operations.
- Led a £1m+ capital redevelopment programme, coordinating operational delivery, stakeholders and service continuity around major refurbishment activity.
- Grew premium health club membership from 4,200 to 5,000+ members and delivered a further 10% uplift following redevelopment.
- Delivered sustained 5% year-on-year revenue growth, increasing site performance from approximately £1.65m to £1.8m.
- Increased Personal Training revenue from approximately £5k to £35k annually and improved secondary commercial contribution.
- Delivered 100% health & safety / compliance audit performance while maintaining operational governance.
- Internationally trained 6,000+ fitness instructors and conducted internal quality assurance for 70 international trainers, supporting consistent standards and continuous improvement.
Hobbies and interests
- Sports
- Family
- Friends
- Natural
- Mindfullness and wellness
Timeline
GENERAL MANAGER
JD GYM EDINBURGH WEST
07.2026 - Current
ECS LABOUR SUBCONTRACTOR
GOOGLE LONDON HEADQUARTERS, KING'S CROSS
04.2026 - 06.2026
GENERAL MANAGER
BANNATYNE HEALTH CLUB & SPA, EDINBURGH
01.2022 - 03.2026
LEISURE MANAGER
LIVINGWELL HEALTH CLUB, EDINBURGH AIRPORT
01.2019 - 01.2022
GYM INSTRUCTOR & DUTY MANAGER
HORNCHURCH SPORTS CENTRE
01.2004 - 01.2009
INTERNATIONAL TRAINER, ASSESSOR & PRESENTER
LES MILLS
01.2002 - Current
REGIONAL TRAINING COORDINATOR
LES MILLS UK
01.2002 - 01.2019
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT, LANDSCAPING & HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS
SELF-EMPLOYED / CONTRACT-BASED
GCSEs -
Emerson Park Academy
Active level 3 eduncation and training
Active IQ