Shafiq Ahmed

Shafiq Ahmed is the founder, CEO, and chairman of NRG Gym Limited, the award-winning high-value, low-price gym group he built from a single site in Gravesend into a national fitness brand. With a background spanning corporate finance, retail, and social impact — including time working on a microfinance bank in India — Shafiq spent years searching for a gym concept that delivered genuine quality at an affordable price point before deciding to create one himself.

He opened the first NRG Gym in Gravesend in 2013, and within 30 days the site was profitable. By placing the member at the heart of every decision — from studio layouts and lighting to dedicated female strength zones — Shafiq built a community-focused model that resonated strongly. The business grew steadily over the following decade, expanding to seven gyms across London, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, and other UK cities, with over 35,000 members.

In 2024, NRG secured a £4 million follow-on investment from Puma Growth Partners to accelerate expansion and invest in data and analytics. Shafiq was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Health and Fitness Association. In 2025, NRG acquired Pump Gyms, expanding its estate to thirteen sites and positioning the group as one of the UK's leading HVLP fitness operators.