Club Operator Conference

Darina is a trailblazer at the intersection of science, fitness, and public health. As Global Head of Vaccine Ingredients at Merck KGaA, she brings deep expertise in Life Sciences. She’s also co-owner of Bua Collective, a chain of gyms in Ireland, and co-founder of the Filthy 150 (one of Europe’s largest CrossFit competitions). Darina founded the Irish Physical Activity Alliance (IPAA) to unite and amplify the voice of Ireland’s fitness industry. In just 12 months, her advocacy helped secure the inclusion of physical activity in the Irish Programme for Government, with a commitment to introduce a tax rebate for gym memberships in the upcoming budget. Darina is leading the charge for stronger government recognition and support of the fitness sector as a vital contributor to economic growth, community wellbeing, and preventative healthcare.

Andy is a seasoned Product Manager with over 9 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of fitness and technology at ClubWise. With a career deeply rooted in the health and fitness industry, Andy brings a unique blend of hands-on operational expertise and strategic product leadership. His professional journey spans frontline roles - from fitness trainer and club manager to exercise software trainer - giving him a rare, ground-level understanding of user behaviour and industry dynamics.

Transitioning into product management from a customer success background, Andy has consistently championed user-centric design and data-driven decision making.

Andy’s passion lies in reimagining how technology - particularly AI - can be harnessed to empower club management software to elevate outcomes and shape the future of SaaS solutions in the health and fitness space.

Ken is an expert in the fitness industry with a passion for driving the fitness and wellness standards in Ireland. Ken is former Managing Director of Space Gyms and is embarking on his next exciting project which are excited to hear more about! Ken has been a great advocate for ClubWise and we are excited to have him share his passion and energy for the industry.

Anton has over 27 years experience in the fitness industry, having worked at every level from trainer to owner, Anton brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise across the industry. Anton owns his own club, so brings first hand knowledge and has been the ClubWise key contact in Ireland for the last 10 years and would be first point of contact for any enquires and support for clubs in migrating to ClubWise and any training requirements.

Derek is an experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Derek is multi-skilled in many fitness areas from weight and strength training through to wellness coaching. A ClubWise customer, LivingWell have seen great results since coming onboard with ClubWise, including a 30% increase in their DDs. We are looking forward to a fireside chat with Derek in Naas to share some of his experiences as General Manager at LivingWell and growing the clubs revenue.

Simon is Head of Fitness Sales (EMEA) for TANITA. Following over a decade working within professional sport as a S&C Coach, Simon now leads the commercial fitness team in the EMEA territory. Supporting gyms and operators of all shapes and sizes in the strategic use of body composition analysis.

Amy is a passionate advocate for the independent fitness sector, with over 15 years of experience across both public and private operators. Amy successfully founded SO51 Fitness - an eco-powered gym and personal training facility running the business for 5 years before shifting her focus to support other independent operators. Her background includes key roles at Fitness First and Cannons (now Nuffield Health), but her heart lies with grassroots gyms. Today, she leads brand partnerships for Independent Gyms UK & Ireland with a focus on helping independents thrive in a competitive market.

Niall Basil Kennedy is the founder of NBK Survival Training, where he champions health and wellbeing as the foundations of resilience and performance. He shows leaders and teams how survival skills translate into everyday business - helping people stay focused, adaptable, and confident under pressure.

With a background in leading expeditions through some of the world’s toughest environments, Niall has seen first-hand how physical and mental wellbeing drive smarter decisions and stronger teamwork. He brings those lessons to industry, proving that resilience isn’t just a personal asset, but a business advantage.