The founder and CEO of Cannons Health & Fitness in the UK, Harm Tegelaars, has been named 2005 European Club Operator of the Year by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).

The award was made at the end of IHRSA’s 5th Annual European Congress, held in Rome this week.

Tegelaars opened his first club in 1980 and is currently a vice-chair – and former chair – of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA).

Presenting the award, John Gamble, UK director of sales for Technogym, said: "Harm Tegelaars has survived and thrived in an ever-changing, ever challenging business."

John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA, added: "The most significant thing about Harm is not the enviable business that he has built, but his willingness to put his own self-interest aside in favour of doing what is best for the industry.”