The European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) has appointed a new executive director, Herman Rutgers, to address critical health and fitness issues and provide cohesion across the industry in Europe.

Rutgers has been tasked with securing funding to tackle the growing obesity problem and aims to raise the profile of the industry throughout Europe.

The president of EHFA, Harm Tegelaars, said: “Herman’s considerable commercial and professional experience will be vital to building the profile, influence and respect for a €20bn sector (£13.5bn, $27bn).

“He will be critical in helping to act as a catalyst to accelerate the evolution of the sector from a group of autonomous and quite disparate national organisations into a cohesive unit.”

Rutgers will be based in Brussels and has over 30 years of senior executive experience. He recently left his position as director for Europe for the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).