Our story

Philip Newborough

Chairman and Co-Founder

Philip is Co-Founder of Bridges Fund Management. He founded The Gym Group and has invested in brands including The Hoxton Hotel and Viva Gym Group.

Andrew Mathews

Chief Operating Officer

Andrew is a seasoned CFO with 25 years' experience across Esporta, The Gym Group and Viva Gym, including The Gym Group's 74-gym IPO.

Laura Newborough

Creative Director

Laura is the Creative Director at Hurlands, responsible for the club’s creative vision and overall member experience. A joint investor in the business, she initially joined Hurlands as Interior Designer, implementing the design and specification of the club’s interiors, furnishings, planting schemes and floristry, helping to establish the distinctive character of the venue. Laura has since joined the business full-time as a Company Director and is actively involved in its strategic growth and development. Her role includes working with partners, sponsors and brands, supporting commercial opportunities, and helping to identify and develop new sites as Hurlands continues to expand.

Emma Taylor

Executive Assistant to the Chairman

Emma is Executive Assistant to the Chairman. With a background in events, marketing and project management and previously Executive Assistant in a leading wealth management firm, supporting at board level. Highly organised, proactive and people focused. Emma is a passionate advocate for wellbeing, maintaining an active and balanced lifestyle.

Jen Mackinder

Head of Marketing and Business Development

Jen brings a wealth of experience across marketing and business development, with a strong track record of developing growth strategies, building meaningful partnerships, and strengthening brand presence. She combines strategic thinking with a collaborative, results-driven approach to identifying new opportunities, engaging audiences, and delivering sustainable business growth.

Sophia Hill

Senior Marketing Executive

As Senior Marketing Executive, Sophia is responsible for developing and leading the Hurlands brand story across all platforms. With a strong focus on digital marketing, content and community building, Sophia helps drive growth through strategy led campaigns.
With experience in videography and growing social media audiences, Sophia brings ideas to life by capturing the energy of the club and the people in it.

Olivia Taylor

Marketing & Events Executive

Olivia is the Marketing & Events Executive at Hurlands, leading the delivery of corporate events, private celebrations, and bespoke experiences. With a degree in Marketing, she brings a creative and strategic approach to every event, ensuring each one is thoughtfully planned and seamlessly executed. She is passionate about creating memorable moments, whether it’s a high-energy corporate day or a special birthday celebration. Her attention to detail and client-focused approach help bring each vision to life, making every event at Hurlands both unique and impactful.

Tom Ward

Head of Health and Fitness

Tom brings over 15 years of experience in the health and wellbeing industry, including personal training and health coaching. He is a qualified Personal Trainer, Life Coach, and Nutrition Advisor, and has led the development of successful coaching programmes.

Tom takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, combining physical health, mindset, and lifestyle support. As Head of Health and Fitness, he is focused on delivering high-quality experiences for members and instructors alike.

Amy Cairns

Head of Sport

Amy Cairns, Head of Sport, is a nationally ranked GB international padel player, achieving a highest LTA ranking of 5 and a career-high world ranking of 336. She has extensive experience leading junior academies, community programmes and corporate events across the UK, and is passionate about supporting players from first introduction through to tournament-level competition using a game-based coaching approach.

Ellie Tomkinson

Pickleball Coach

Ellie is a nationally recognised pickleball player and coach, and the 2025 Singles National Champion, as well as a highly ranked European player. She brings four years of tennis coaching experience, having transitioned fully into pickleball coaching 1.5 years ago.

Ellie has significant experience leading both group sessions and individual coaching, and provides a thematic and individualised coaching style that helps players focus on tactical understanding alongside technical skills. She is passionate about supporting players at all stages, from first introduction to high-level competitive performance.

Flynn Crosthwaite

Pickleball Coach

Flynn is equipped with a strong sporting background, currently competing nationally and internationally in Pickleball, and with previous national-level experience across multiple sports. His educational pathway focused on specialisation in sports coaching and leadership, sports development, and sport performance.

Bringing a high level of enthusiasm, Flynn ensures that enjoyment of the sport remains paramount for all participants. He delivers sessions using a structured and methodical approach, with a detailed focus on technical skills aligned with strategic and tactical understanding.

Flynn is passionate about introducing new players to Pickleball while continuing to support and develop those already established in the sport.