Available to book
Transform business performance with David Lloyd, speaker, entrepreneurship and leadership expert. David helps organisations build empowering management structures that drive growth, leveraging insights from founding a £925 million global fitness empire and captaining Britain's Davis Cup team.
David Lloyd is a former professional tennis player and global entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder of one of the UK’s most successful health and fitness chains, David Lloyd Leisure, now known as David Lloyd Clubs.
Aged just 17, David won both singles and doubles titles at Junior Wimbledon in 1965. After retiring from professional tennis with a career-high of 128 in the world singles rankings, David launched David Lloyd Leisure in 1982 with no formal business background. Against the odds, he built a brand that redefined how health clubs were designed and operated, placing emphasis on a family-friendly model.
The business was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1992 and was acquired by Whitbread three years later in a landmark deal that valued the company at £200 million. In the same year, David was appointed captain of the British Davis Cup team. The business sold again in 2007 for £925 million pounds to Versailles Bidco, owned by London & Regional Holdings Limited and Bank of Scotland Corporate. It now has more than 100 clubs throughout the UK and 30 clubs across mainland Europe.
David's leadership philosophy has always centred on trust, accountability and giving others the opportunity to thrive, developing flat management structures that empower employees and foster long-term success. David's approach challenges traditional business hierarchies and highlights the value of investing in people as much as in products.
With decades of experience in growing successful enterprises from the ground up, David offers valuable insights into entrepreneurship, resilience, and the practicalities of building a business that lasts.
Topics, sessions and talks
David Lloyd, drawing on his extensive experience in business and sport, presents his ten guiding principles for success. In this session, attendees will gain valuable insights into fostering organisational growth, covering essential topics such as goal setting and the importance of valuing employees. Participants will leave equipped with practical strategies to enhance their business practices and drive their organisations forward.
often considered together
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Purpose
Entrepreneurship
Brand Partnerships
Jo Malone
Social Mobility
Adversity
Resilience
Jason Bates
Artificial Intelligence
Customer Experience
Personal Finance
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book David Lloyd, email david.lloyd@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm David's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
David Lloyd structures his session around ten guiding principles drawn from his career in professional tennis and business, covering goal setting, employee value, and organisational growth.
David Lloyd speaks on business success principles, goal setting, employee value, and organisational growth. He founded David Lloyd Leisure in 1982 with no formal business background, growing it into a brand acquired by Whitbread in 1995 for £200 million and later sold in 2007 for £925 million.
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