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About Black Raccoon
Fitness people. Growth partners.
Since 2014 we have helped gyms, health clubs, leisure operators and fitness franchises grow. We are not career consultants watching from the sidelines. We have sold the memberships, led the teams and run the clubs.
Our story
Built by operators, for operators
Black Raccoon was founded with a simple belief: fitness businesses deserve partners who understand the industry from the inside. Too many owners were paying for advice that never left the meeting room.
So we built something different. A growth partner that rolls its sleeves up, works alongside your team and measures success by the numbers that matter: members, revenue and retention. From our base in Silsden, West Yorkshire, we support operators across the UK and beyond.
The founders
Meet the team
Founder & Managing Director
Ryan Charlesworth
Ryan has more than 25 years in fitness and leisure. He started as a gym instructor and went on to work with Holmes Place, Fitness First and Marriott, where he spent 11 years as Director of Golf, Leisure and Spa at Marriott Hotels.
He opened his own club, The Body Centre, and now works with owners and leadership teams on strategy, sales, marketing, member retention and operations. He has delivered more than 30 presale campaigns, is the author of Fit for Success and the voice behind The Inside Track podcast.
Partner & Chief Operations Director
Russell Valler
Russell brings over 15 years of fitness industry experience, combining gym ownership with practical expertise in sales, operations, membership retention and business growth. Originally a television producer and director, he retrained as a personal trainer before opening his first gym in 2012, and went on to own and operate seven gyms over a decade.
As founder of 360 Degree Health Club Solutions he supported more than 100 clubs and oversaw over 50 presale campaigns. He also founded TIMA, a specialist fitness contact centre handling membership sales and retention calls for more than 50 clubs. At Black Raccoon he focuses on operational systems, sales processes, team development and customer experience.
What we stand for
How we show up
🧗
In the trenches
We work alongside your team, not above it. If it needs doing, we help do it.
🎯
Numbers that matter
Members, revenue, retention. We measure success the same way you do.
🗣️
Straight talking
Honest feedback and clear priorities, even when it is not what you expected to hear.
🔁
Built to last
Systems and skills your team owns, so growth keeps going long after we step back.
🤝
Partnership first
Your goals become our goals. We win when you win.
📚
Always learning
Podcasts, webinars and guides that share what is working across the industry.
The Black Raccoon ecosystem
More than a consultancy
Over the years we have built a network of resources to help the whole industry grow.
📘
Fit for Success
Ryan's book on mastering sales in the fitness industry.
🎧
The Inside Track
Our podcast sharing real stories from inside the fitness industry.
🏪
Fit Supply Hub
A directory of trusted suppliers for gyms and leisure operators.
🌐
Gym Growth Network
A community of ambitious operators sharing what works.
⚡
FitLeads
Our done-for-you digital marketing service and growth system.
🦝
Black Raccoon Franchise
Taking our growth model to new markets through franchising.
Partner stories
“
The ideas, the structure, the professionalism of Ryan and all his knowledge astounds me. He seriously understands the stuff I have never even thought about. If you're thinking about help, don't think, just contact Ryan.
Daryl Parry
Castle Country Club
“
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Ryan as a consultant, and I can attest to his deep industry knowledge, passion in work and creating real human relationships. Ryan is a great source of energy and optimism, pushing new ideas and creativity to the front.
Marina Gencheva
Pulse Fit Bulgaria
“
Ryan has been extremely successful in helping clubs learn and implement the hard and soft skills required to be successful in an ever-growing, competitive marketplace. Training and accountability is essential if clubs want to be ahead of the game, and Ryan has the skills, techniques and tools that will give the edge to help maximise every sales opportunity.
Steve Jensen
Impact Training
Let's grow together
Book a free Growth Call with Ryan and the team and find out how we could partner with your business.
The growth briefing
Growth plays for gym owners. Straight to your inbox.
Monthly ideas on marketing, sales, retention and leadership from the Black Raccoon team, plus new guides, podcast episodes and Education Series dates. Unsubscribe any time.
Growth partners to gyms, health clubs, leisure operators and fitness franchises since 2014. We plug into your business and drive members, revenue and retention.
Company
07929 369658
[email protected]
Silsden, West Yorkshire, UK
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