Equinox Names Brendan Whitworth Chief Executive
The fitness company appointed the former Anheuser-Busch chief executive as it prepares to accelerate expansion after a refinancing of more than US$1bn.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
Equinox has appointed Brendan Whitworth as chief executive officer, while Harvey Spevak moves from chief executive to chair. The company said a refinancing provided more than US$1bn for investment.
Why it matters
The leadership change and new capital come as Equinox prepares to accelerate its expansion into new markets and invest in existing locations. The company reports record membership and check-in levels and club openings that have significantly exceeded projections.
Equinox operates 118 clubs across the US, Canada and UK and has a pipeline of approximately 50 new clubs, backed by more than US$1bn in refinancing. The company has not disclosed figures or a timetable for delivering that pipeline.
The players
Brendan Whitworth
Whitworth was most recently chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch, the brewer behind brands such as Budweiser.
Harvey Spevak
Spevak has led Equinox since 1999 and has now moved from chief executive to chair of the luxury fitness company.
Equinox
Equinox is a luxury fitness club operator with 118 clubs across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The details
Brendan Whitworth was most recently chief executive of Anheuser-Busch and will join the Equinox board. Harvey Spevak, who has led Equinox since 1999, becomes chair, and he was personally involved in recruiting Whitworth. The refinancing included additional equity from existing investors Silver Lake, principals of Related Companies and Ares, and existing lenders Ares and Sixth Street participated in the debt.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Equinox announced Whitworth as chief executive and Spevak as chair.
Market Landscape
Premium fitness has seen membership recover strongly as affluent consumers return to high-end clubs after the pandemic. Equinox's expansion and leadership change position it to compete for that demand against rival luxury operators.
For members, the expansion could mean new club openings and continued investment in existing locations in the coming period. The company has not said which new markets or clubs will open first.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at growth-stage companies often signal a shift from founder-led operations toward scaling, and Equinox's pairing of a new chief executive with fresh capital shows that pattern. Readers tracking the premium fitness market should watch whether openings match the pipeline.
Further reading
Explore more executive moves in our People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Leisureopportunities.
