Clarion helps Yorkshire fitness entrepreneur to launch global charitable foundation

Lawyers at Leeds firm Clarion have stepped in to help client Nick Mitchell, the world renowned trainer and founder of Ultimate Performance (UP) Fitness, by donating their services to incorporate his new charitable foundation which has been set up to promote health and fitness for underprivileged children.

A former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, Nick has been hailed as one of the world’s leading body composition experts and established his fitness company, UP, in 2009.  It has grown into a global business with gyms in cities in eight countries, including Manchester, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Dubai, providing personalised training for celebrities and HNW individuals.

Clarion has worked with UP for the last three years, providing a full range of legal services including advising on corporate and property matters both in the UK and internationally.  The firm has also supported Nick on a pro bono basis by helping him to incorporate The Nick Mitchell Foundation, a new charitable initiative which will see the UP gyms worldwide raising funds for underprivileged children within the field of health, fitness and sport.

“Having attended a very good school, I feel extremely lucky that I have had every opportunity in life and I want to give something back to less fortunate young people by opening up more possibilities for them,” explains Nick.  “My aim is for the foundation to raise $1m in its first year and I will then be able to leverage these funds, for example, by providing gym equipment or teaching children about health and fitness.”

He continues: “Clarion have consistently provided sound advice to us on everything from venture capital fundraising to commercial leases.  They are always approachable and willing to help; I know I can rely on them to provide great value and consequently they have earned my trust.  I really appreciate the firm’s support with incorporating the foundation; it is another demonstration of their ethos of partnering with clients and providing far more than legal advice.”

Sarah Harrison, associate in Clarion’s corporate team, comments: “With his global success, it’s good to see Nick launching this charity initiative to promote health and fitness to disadvantaged youngsters.  We were, of course, happy to play our part in supporting the foundation and wish it every success.”