Les Mills International Appoints New CEO Jason Paris to Drive Next Phase of Growth

Les Mills International has appointed Jason Paris as its new CEO with current leader Phillip Mills moving into a founder/director role.

One of New Zealand’s most respected business leaders, Paris arrives with a proven track record of leading large customer-centric companies through growth and transformation across telecommunications, digital services and media.

Alongside periods working in Europe, Paris has helped shape some of New Zealand’s most recognized brands, including leading One NZ’s transformation from Vodafone NZ to a proudly Kiwi brand, the Telecom to Spark transformation, and playing a key role in the development of digital content platforms such as TVNZ OnDemand.

The appointment forms part of a planned leadership succession following Phillip Mills’ three-year commitment to lead the business as managing director through an important period of strategic and organizational development. During that time, the company stabilized and strengthened its operations, established a clear strategy, delivered strong financial performance and built an effective leadership team.

With this three-year period now complete, Phillip will support Paris through the transition and continue to serve as founder/director, with operational leadership and decision-making passing to the incoming CEO.

Paris, who will become CEO on October 6, said, “It’s an enormous privilege to be joining Les Mills International to help lead the next phase of growth. What Phillip, Jackie and the Mills family have built over many decades is one of New Zealand’s great business success stories. I’ve always admired New Zealand brands that have a real impact globally, and Les Mills International has done exactly that. It has an outstanding team, an iconic brand and an incredible opportunity ahead. Every great business I’ve worked in has one thing in common: obsession over the needs of the customer. Les Mills is a great example of this, with an incredible global network of Instructors, club partners and participants. I can’t wait to start learning from these amazing people and supporting their success as we accelerate our mission to create a fitter planet.”

“Jason is an exceptional leader – truly as good as you get – and we’re delighted he’s decided to join us,” added Mills. “He brings deep commercial expertise, a modern leadership style, and a clear passion for building high-performing teams and strong cultures. I stepped back into the leadership of the business following the departure of our previous CEO, with a clear three-year commitment to complete a strategy reset and return the company to solid growth following the disruption COVID-19 caused across the global gym industry. With the company on a strong footing and well-positioned for further expansion, now is the right time for me to hand over leadership to an energetic new CEO who can take us into our next exciting chapter.”

Away from work, Paris is a husband and father of three with a lifelong connection to sport and fitness. He is an avid sportsman and rugby league fan, who has been a member of Les Mills New Zealand gyms for many years, with a particular penchant for RPM classes.