Drive Fitt, a 24/7 member-based gym combining cricket and fitness announced the appointment of Vikram Aditya Bhatia as its new Chief Executive Officer. As the CEO of Drive Fitt, Vikram will be responsible for driving the company’s strategic vision, expanding operations, and reinforcing Drive Fitt’s commitment to providing unparalleled fitness experiences.
DRIVE FITT is backed by Bollywood actress Preity G Zinta and cricketer Shubman Gill, who have partnered with Australian businessmen Mark Sellar and Deke Smith to co-found in India.
With over 30 years of leadership in the global fitness industry and a background in competitive sports, Vikram will be instrumental in shaping the future of Drive Fitt. As a former national tennis player for India, Vikram has held senior roles across multiple countries, including as Managing Director of Fitness First India and leading the setup of Fitness First in the Middle East. His experience spans Southeast Asia, the UK, Europe, Australia, and India, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead transformative initiatives in the fitness industry.
He also successfully facilitated the sale of Fitness First India on behalf of the leading global hedge fund, Oaktree Capital. In recent years, Vikram has designed state-of-the-art fitness clubs globally, advised numerous industry forums, and mentored startup founders across India and Southeast Asia. His dedication and expertise were recognized in 2022 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for a world-leading Virtual Fitness Platform.
“I’m excited to join Drive Fitt, where we’re making fitness and cricket more accessible for enthusiasts. In India, cricket holds deep emotional value but few have access to play it in a convenient, organized setting. Drive Fitt will change that by offering dedicated, structured environments in well-designed real estate—whether mixed-use or multi-family—allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the game. Our mission is to meet the demand for accessible cricket and fitness experiences. With Drive Fitt, we aim to ‘PVR-ise’ cricket, multi-format fitness, and recovery. We’re also introducing a unique ‘running room,’ crucial to both cricket and fitness, blending sport, recovery, and social self-care in a new way,” said Vikram Aditya Bhatia, CEO, Drive Fitt.
Mark Sellar, Co-Founder & Chairman, Drive Fitt, said, “We’re thrilled to have Vikram Aditya Bhatia join DRIVE FITT as CEO. His extensive experience in building high-performance fitness brands and his passion for sport align perfectly with our vision. Together, we’re creating a unique space where fitness and cricket enthusiasts can thrive. Vikram’s leadership will be pivotal as we scale DRIVE FITT across India and internationally, bringing world-class fitness experiences to communities everywhere.”
Deke Smith, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Drive Fitt, “Vikram’s proven track record in the global fitness industry makes him the ideal leader for this next phase of growth. At Drive Fitt, we aim to innovate the way people engage with fitness, blending sport, recovery, and social well-being. With Vikram at the helm, we’re confident we’ll set new standards in the industry, delivering unparalleled value to our members and driving the future of fitness in India and beyond.”
