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As Head of Operations & Safety, Thailand, what do your roles and responsibilities
look like?
The As Head of Operations & Safety at Virgin Active Thailand, my role is all about ensuring

our clubs operate safely, efficiently, and consistently while delivering a great experience
for our members. My responsibilities range from club operations, health and safety,
ACTIVE It’s also a commercially focused role, making sure we’re investing wisely, managing
and facilities management to major refurbishment and maintenance / growth projects.
costs effectively, and supporting the long-term growth of the business. Ultimately,

my job is to balance member experience, operational excellence, safety, and financial
performance to help create great clubs for our members and teams.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career thus far?
TENET The biggest turning point in my career was leaving the hotel industry and joining Virgin
Active. At the time, I was working at Shangri-La and felt ready for a new challenge
that aligned more closely with my interests and passions. Joining the opening team
at Virgin Active Westgate was a leap of faith, but it turned out to be one of the best
decisions I’ve made. It allowed me to apply the skills I’d developed in hospitality
while building a career in an industry I genuinely enjoy. 11 years later, I’m still here
and have been fortunate to grow through a variety of leadership roles. Looking back,
that decision shaped the career I’ve had today.

Consumers today see fitness more as a holistic lifestyle and wellness routine

Dev Singhsachthep rather than just traditional weightlifting. What specific wellness features, such
as recovery tools or nutrition has Virgin Active incorporated into its clubs?
on keeping pace with life. Consumers today are looking for a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing, and
that’s something Virgin Active has embraced for many years. Our clubs are designed
to support overall wellness through a combination of exercise, recovery, nutrition, and
BY GRACE CLARKE community. Members have access to a wide range of training experiences, recovery
facilities such as steam rooms, spa pools and cold plunges, as well as nutritious food
and beverage options through KAUAI Thailand. Beyond physical fitness, we focus

on creating environments where people can connect, recharge, and build sustainable
healthy habits. Our goal isn’t just to help people exercise more, but to help them live
healthier, happier, and more balanced lives.
High-spending Gen Z and Millennial members are moving toward specialised
e all had those interests during childhood that felt joyfully consuming at
the time, only to be forgotten months later. But some interests have a boutique studios like Pilates, HIIT, and bouldering. What have you noticed about
way of sticking around. They become more than play; they start to shape how these younger generations use the gym compared to older members, and
how we spend our time and eventually, where we see ourselves going. For Dev how has Virgin Active adapted to this change?
Singhsachthep, that intrigue was physical activity. What started as an early interest We’ve seen Gen Z and Millennials look for more than just a workout. They want variety,
in sports developed into a genuine passion during young adulthood before eventually community, and a more holistic approach to wellbeing. They’re drawn to experiences

leading him into a career in fitness as Head of Operations & Safety at Virgin Active like Pilates, HIIT, yoga, and cycling, while also placing greater importance on recovery
Thailand. Along his path, the focus has grown beyond exercise itself, becoming an and mental wellbeing. What makes Virgin Active unique is that members can access
exploration of how working with people through service and vitality can transform all of this, along with traditional gym facilities, under one roof. While trends will
what we bring to everyday life. Now, as a leader and a father, wellbeing has become continue to evolve, people increasingly want results, wellness, and community in
an important part of how he lives as much as how he works. Curious to learn more one place, and our focus is to continue meeting those needs.
about his unique journey with active living, Masala sat down with Dev to explore What would you say to someone who frequently states that they “simply don’t
what keeps him moving.
have time to exercise”?
Tell us about your upbringing. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. More often than not, it’s not a lack of time,
but competing priorities. The good news is that exercise doesn’t have to take hours
I grew up in a supportive family that taught me the value of hard work, responsibility,

and respect for others. I attended international schools in Thailand before moving to be effective. Even 20 to 30 minutes can have a positive impact on your energy,
to Sydney for high school, then later completed my studies in Banking & Finance mood, and overall wellbeing. My advice is to schedule it like any other important

and Hotel Management in Switzerland. Living abroad at a young age was a defining commitment, start small, stay consistent, and focus on building a habit that fits your

experience. It taught me independence, resilience, and adaptability, while exposure to lifestyle. Over time, those small efforts can lead to significant results.

different cultures broadened my perspective and helped shape both my life and career.

Many fitness executives have a personal history with wellness or competitive
sports. What was your personal relationship with fitness growing up?

Honestly, I wasn’t particularly passionate about fitness until my mid-twenties. Growing

up, I played plenty of sports, mainly soccer and basketball, with soccer being my
favourite. I enjoyed being active, but I was never especially competitive. That changed
early in my career when I wanted to become stronger, both physically and mentally,

and started going to the gym. Over time, fitness evolved from a personal goal into a
genuine passion and an important part of my lifestyle. Interestingly, my competitive
side didn’t really emerge until after the COVID-19 pandemic, when I discovered a
love for running and endurance events. Since then, I’ve taken part in Spartan races,
HYROX competitions, road races, and trail-running events. What I enjoy most isn’t
competing against others, but challenging myself and seeing what I’m capable of.
Your father is a reputable doctor in the community. Did you ever consider a career

in the medical field?

I was 100 percent certain that the medical field was not for me. Growing up, I was
frequently asked whether I would follow in my father’s footsteps and become a
doctor. While I didn’t really know what career path I wanted to pursue at the time,
I knew with absolute certainty that medicine wasn’t it. Needles, hospitals, and the
sight of blood have never been my thing.

What was the specific crossroad or moment in your early life where you ventured
into this industry?
I was working at Shangri-La at the time and felt I had reached a crossroads in my career.
While I enjoyed hospitality, I knew I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment
and continue growing professionally. Around that time, Virgin Active was recruiting
leaders for the opening of its third club in Thailand, Virgin Active Westgate. The
opportunity immediately stood out because it combined a fast-growing, ambitious
business with an industry that aligned more closely with my personal interests.
Looking back, it was one of the best career decisions I’ve made. What started as a

new challenge has turned into an incredibly rewarding journey in the fitness and
wellness industry and ultimately led me to where I am today.

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