GoodLife Fitness Founder Named One of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs
Posted: November 19, 2015 in Chains
David Patchell-Evans
LONDON, ON – David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans, Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness, has been recognized by Waterstone Human Capital Limited as one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs. GoodLife Fitness was also listed as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, the first time a CEO and their company won both awards in the same year.
Other CEOs on the list of most admired include, Marc and Craig Kielburger, Co-Founders of Free the Children, Flipp Managing Director & CEO Wehuns Tan, and Chuck Jeannes, CEO of GoldCorp.
“I am deeply honoured to be selected as one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs along with four inspiring trailblazers,” says Patch. “While the Keilburgers, Mr. Tan, Mr. Jeannes and I come from very diverse industries we all share the same passion of caring for and investing in our staff, while trying to make the world a better place.”
“This year’s winners are truly an outstanding group of leaders, says Marty Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Human Capital Ltd. “Patch and his co-winners on the 2015 list are trailblazers, at the forefront of best practices in culture and fit in Canada.”
2015 marks the third year that GoodLife Fitness has been awarded the Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. The national awards program, now in its 11th year, annually recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having a culture that has helped them enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage.
The GoodLife Story
In his second year of university, Patch was in a serious motorcycle accident that partially paralyzed him. Over 18 months of arduous rehabilitation, Patch gained a fascination with the healing power of exercise. The rowing exercises, which were part of his recovery, prompted a love of rowing for Patch as he went on to win five Canadian Rowing Championships. In 1979, using money he made from his snow plow business that he started during university, Patch decided to purchase the small London Ontario club, that he’d been training at. He decided that his clubs would focus on caring for people and creating an exceptional experience for members. That focus has allowed GoodLife Fitness to grow to over 350 locations, 1.2 million members and 14,400 employees.
