Wellbeing Room opened with equipment developed by alumnus

Cambridge Judge Business School inaugurated a new Wellbeing Room equipped with high-tech fitness equipment developed and donated by Tony Nicholson, a graduate (EMBA 2022) of the Business School’s Executive MBA programme. The dedicated room on the ground floor of the Business School is designed to promote health, wellbeing and work-life balance for all members of the Cambridge Judge community.

Professor Gishan Dissanaike, Dean of Cambridge Judge, presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Wellbeing Room, thanking Tony for his generosity in donating 2 resistance machines with the name Voltra from Beyond Power. Noting the facial resemblance between them, Gishan jokingly referred to Tony as “my twin brother, but the more athletic one”.

The portable resistance machines were developed by Tony for his Individual Project on his EMBA programme, supervised by Kishore Sengupta, Professor of Operations Management. The lightweight and portable smart cable machine delivers versatile, full-body workouts, powered by a durable direct-drive motor. Weighing only 13 lbs, it can generate up to 200 lbs of resistance from multiple angles, making it ideal for a wide variety of exercises.

Gym in a box

Referred to by Tony as ‘a gym in a box’, the device features multiple resistance modes: traditional weight training (steady resistance), band-style resistance (which increases with distance) and damper mode (quick burst resistance). It is controlled through a free mobile app that allows users to easily adjust resistance levels. Designed with sustainability in mind, it reduces the need for multiple heavy machines, and requires no lengthy installation. The machines are manufactured in Shenzhen, China, and are currently distributed across the Middle East region through a dealership partnership founded by Tony in the United Arab Emirates.

“I started as a personal trainer, so coming to Cambridge Judge was a crucial way to transition into business while still being involved in the fitness industry,” Tony said at the Wellbeing Room opening event. “I wanted to give back to the community.”

A former Royal Marine cadet student in England, Tony has long been involved in fitness, and he established a successful personal training business in China after learning Chinese. He is also an actor, and starred in the 2023 Chinese sci-fi movie ‘The Wandering Earth II’, which had its UK premiere at a Cambridge theatre where Tony spoke to his EMBA classmates and others in attendance.

A transformative business education

Tony expressed his “deep gratitude for the transformative business education I received at Cambridge Judge”. He thanks Charmain Allen, Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Cambridge Judge, for supporting the initiative, and Kevin How, Facilities Services Manager, for overseeing the conversion of the dedicated Wellbeing Room – which in addition to the resistance training machines offers a cross trainer, training mats, a water dispenser, climate control, and frosted windows for privacy. Tony also cites the mentorship of Gishan, Kishore, Khaled Soufani, Management Practice Professor of Financial Economics and Policy and Director of the Cambridge EMBA programme, and Daniel (Danny) Ralph, Professor of Operations Research.

Tony is now studying for a doctorate at Durham University, and says he continues to build upon his Cambridge Judge learning. “What began as an academic project during my EMBA programme has evolved into a real-world business that now impacts lives globally, showing that real impact can start in the classroom,” says Tony. A plaque has been mounted just outside the new Wellbeing Room, saying: “Tony is an entrepreneur in the health, fitness and film industries with over 18 years of experience living and building successful businesses in China as well as being an accomplished actor. He is passionate about bringing health and wellness to people around the world. Cambridge Judge Business School is grateful for his kind donation of the fitness equipment in our Wellbeing Room.”

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