Annabel Gatward

Annabel Gatward joined the original Fitness First Plc management team in 1994 and she was responsible for opening 68 units/club sites throughout the UK.

Annabel led the recruitment and training program and the ‘start up’ running operations of each club. Annabel was part of the original team responsible for setting up the customer service program and she established their first Training Academy, - a residential centre for forty, creating the training matrix, personally writing the first collection of manuals.

After 4 years of new business development Annabel then headed the human resources function for the business (3000 employees), Annabel  handled certain HR implications of Fitness First’s acquisition of a large Australian plc. in Sydney.
In 2003 she was invited to head up operations and business development for a group of privately held companies, plus the responsibility of running two of the group’s e-tail sites.
Annabel’s enthusiasm for the retail industry led her to research potential growth areas. Annabel was aware of the enormous potential of the web, and following her instinct, which was being seriously endorsed by market research, that a gap in the market place was evident for a niche online ‘designer lingerie’ boutique, Annabel launched her own site, GlamorousAmorous.com in May 2005.
Since then many others have followed however Annabel believes the main exciting difference is that Glamorous Amorous loves to champion new designers as well as offer the famous labels - adoring to offer the luxurious alternative! Aside from that Annabel is passionate about going to great lengths to create a Glamorous Amorous e-commerce experience for her online customer, “I believe that great customer service online is definitely possible”.
www.glamorousamorous.com