Lift Brands, the parent company of fitness franchises and brands – including Snap Fitness, YogaFit and Fitness On Demand – will shuffle its top team and create a new strategic vision during 2019.

Peter Taunton, Lift Brands' founder and CEO, is stepping down to take up the role of non-executive chair – described as a strategic advisory role.

Current chief operating officer Tom Welter will lead the US-based group on an interim basis, as it conducts a "thoughtful and thorough" search for a permanent CEO.

Since its launch in 2003, Lift Brands has grown to more than 2,000 franchise locations across 27 countries, with sites in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, and the UK.

In 2018, the company opened more than 100 locations across its portfolio, including a strong pipeline of Snap Fitness openings in the UK.

The change in leadership is part of plans to ring in "significant changes" in 2019.

These include a focus on functional fitness and HIIT, new club designs and enhanced support of members.

“My personal journey has been a remarkable and gratifying one,” Taunton said.

“I’m extremely proud of the company’s growth and the talented leadership team.

"Building and handing off a company to capable hands is the dream of every entrepreneur. The future for Lift Brands is incredibly bright.”