Email confirms Hemsworth’s fitness app Centr let go Aussie staff

Aussies who worked for Chris Hemsworth’s fitness app have described the moment they were immediately let go and logged out of their computers.

At least 22 Australians working for Centr Fitness, Chris Hemsworth’s popular training app, were locked out of their computers this week after learning their roles were made redundant.

Two workers told news.com.au that the mass job cuts were sealed in an email directly from the company’s American CEO Andrew Sugerman.

The app, launched by Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky, has developed a massive subscriber base over its three years of operation and, in 2022, was sold to HighPost Capital.

At the time of the acquisition, HighPost confirmed the Thor star would “continue to be deeply involved in all aspects of Centr, as the second largest shareholder in the combined business.”

A Centr subscription $29.99 per month and includes workouts, recipes and meditations from experts, and tailored meal recipes.

Stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton, Chris Hemsworth and personal trainer Luke Zocchi. Picture: Centr/supplied

In an email sent to some Australian staff, Mr Sugerman noted an effort to centralise the company in the US and outsource some work.

“As we look to make Centr a global wellness brand by bringing the digital and physical sides of the business even closer together, we have made the difficult decision to relocate and outsource specific operations in the Melbourne office,” the email read.

The CEO confirmed in the email, seen by news.com.au, that engineering, creative services, and product functions were all becoming redundant in Australia’s office.

One of the sacked staff members said the email followed a meeting where all impacted staff were told in person.

“The decision did not come lightly and is not a reflection of any individual but rather a strategic decision to focus on growing our global base by consolidating and more deeply connecting key roles to the LA office as we continue to align our digital and physical product,” the email read.

Email from Centr CEO Andrew Sugerman.

Email from Centr CEO Andrew Sugerman to Australian staff

The recipient told news.com.au the shift away from Australia was concerning.

“I’d be surprised if Centr, a proudly Australian-founded company, still exists in Australia in six months’ time,” they said.

“(That’s) something that would truly disappoint their loyal customer base.”

An impacted Centr engineering team member told news.com.au that the redundant staff were logged off the company communication immediately and given exit interviews.

“It remains a mystery to the engineering team as to how they will be able to take over with no handover,” they said. “There are 30-plus interconnected systems that keep the app running.”

News.com.au understands at least 22 Australian-based Centr workers lost their jobs.

A Centr spokesperson said the company thanked departing staff: “As a result of a few voluntary resignations in Centr’s Melbourne office, the company has made the strategic decision to rethink some functions to foster greater efficiencies and collaboration as Centr expands its platform connecting digital coaching with transformational in-home fitness equipment.

“High-quality, stand out content has been the hallmark of Centr, and our efforts in Melbourne have been the heart of our content production,” they continued.

“Our Melbourne office will continue to be the global hub for all content and customer service, and will also be home to all sales and marketing for Australia, New Zealand and Asia.”

According to LinkedIn employment analytics, 51 of Centr’s 249 staff are based in Australia, with the majority in Victoria.

Centr offers users expert insights into workouts, diets and recipes.

The company also has one job opening for a Melbourne-based accountant that went live on LinkedIn yesterday.

After the 2022 takeover, which was said to have netted the star $267 million, Hemsworth revealed he was “thrilled” Centr was joining the HighPost Capital stable.

“I look forward to partnering with HighPost and Inspire to continue the success of Centr, inspire people to lead healthier and more active lives, and increase our strong subscriber base worldwide by developing outstanding new content and expanding our offerings,” he said in a statement.

Hemsworth’s Centr was taken over by HighPost Capital in 2022 for a reported $267 million. Picture: Jamie McCarthy

HighPost Capital is a New York-based investment group co-headed by Mark Bezos, the younger brother of Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Its website shows that Centr and fitness equipment company Inspire Fitness has been merged under the name Centr LLC in its portfolio.

“The combined company, Centr LLC, is poised to benefit from enhanced scale, synergies, and long-term tailwinds due to increased focus on personal health and wellbeing,” it reads.

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Originally published as Email confirms Hemsworth’s fitness app Centr let go Aussie staff