John Kersh has announced he is leaving boutique franchisor, Xponential Fitness, after eight years with the company – seven of them driving international growth across multiple brands and the best part of a year with Pure Barre at the start.

As chief international development officer, Kersh has been responsible for the global expansion of Xponential’s multiple brands, closing master franchise agreements in 20 countries, including taking Rumble and AKT to Japan and four brands to Kuwait.

Kersh announced his departure on Linkedin, saying he has decided to leave Xponential Fitness for a new and exciting opportunity. He also went on to say how much he enjoys the building phase and paid tribute to his many colleagues.

Kersh hasn’t yet revealed his next move, telling HCM he'll be revealing his new appointment in May, but with the franchise market so buoyant, there will be countless opportunities for a man of his calibre, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the fitness and franchising business.

Previous to Xponential Fitness, he was vice president of international franchise development for Self-Esteem Brands, prior to which he developed a start-up franchise in Brazil, called Citrus Gym.

From 1992 until 2004, Kersh was director of international development at IHRSA (now the Health and Fitness Association).

On the same day Kersh announced his departure, Garrett Marshall, president of Xponential+ also revealed he is leaving “to pursue new frontiers”. The digital and AI specialist said it has been a rewarding journey over the last five years.

The portfolio of Xponential Fitness has been changing over the last few months with the acquisition of Lindora and sale of Stride. It currently includes Club Pilates, Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab, CycleBar, Rumble, Row House, BFT and AKT, as well as partnering with Julianne Hough to turn Kinrgy into a bricks and mortar brand.

As it continues to evolve and grow its brands, Xponential Fitness is also defending itself against a class action lawsuit being brought against the company for financial damages to shareholders. Fifteen American law firms are seeking complainants in a bid to gather a substantial enough cohort to represent Xponential Fitness shareholders in the case, in a bid to recover funds. The deadline for them to come forward to participate in legal action is today (9 April). Geisler told HCM the accusations are 'baseless'.