Awards Panel

With over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Lisa Brown (née Stokes) previously worked as a MUA to A-list stars including Kate Moss, Juliette Lewis, Felicity Jones, Gemma Arterton, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniel Craig.

With a passion for travel, beauty and spas Lisa went on to be a luxury spa columnist for The Huffington Post and continues to contribute spa articles and quotes to numerous high-end publications. With her expert knowledge and insight into the growth of the spa and wellness sectors she was inspired to create The Luxury Spa Edit.

Lisa has visited over 120 spa hotels, spa resorts and wellness retreats around the globe. She’s reviewed everything from yoga retreats at Ananda in the Himalayas and detox cures at VIVAMAYR to preventative medicine and rejuvenation programmes at SHA Wellness and Clinique La Prairie.

With more than 25 years of editorial experience at Tatler magazine, with specific expertise in the field of spas, wellness and cosmetic beauty, Gerri has an extensive global knowledge and unique perspective. Her experience of non-invasive cosmetic procedures is first-hand; she has travelled extensively visiting medical spas and wellness facilities around the world. Gerri oversaw the publication of the Tatler Spa Guide and Tatler Beauty and Cosmetic Surgery Guide for over 10 years.

Gerri now provides a consultancy service to spa brands, hotels and resorts both in the UK and internationally, from helping shape the vision of a new spa development to the re-launch of an existing spa.

Jo Foley is a freelance writer, editor and spa consultant. A former editor of The Observer magazine, she was also Executive Editor of The Times. She has written numerous books on diet, lifestyle, beauty and wellbeing, including Great Spa Escapes – a guide to some of the most opulent spas in the world.

For more than 30 years she has been visiting and reviewing spas, sanctuaries and wellness centres on four continents and has written about them for publications as varied as The Financial Times, Conde Nast Traveller, Tatler, Harper’s Bazaar, The Sunday Telegraph, Woman & Home, The Daily Mail, Departures and The Times.

She has experienced more than her fair share of Ayurvedic retreats in India, traditional Chinese medicine programmes, Hay Baths in Austria, Inca inspired Temezcal sweat lodges in Mexico, native American Hopi Candle therapy in Arizona, Thai massages, Balinese baths, thalassotherapy hosings in France, detoxes in the Dolomites, and Hammams throughout the Middle East.

The founder of Healing Holidays, Frances first recognised a new demand for wellness from luxury travellers almost 20 years ago. Having lived through a personal bereavement and her own health issues, she was driven to seek out the best international medical practitioners and the finest alternative wellness experts, with the result being Healing Holidays, an industry pioneer.

Frances is now recognised as being one of the world’s leading wellness experts, with her unrivalled knowledge, expertise and advice in high demand, and sought by everyone from celebrities, royals & A-listers, to those who are simply in need of her honest and impartial words of wisdom.

Juliet Kinsman is the Sustainability Editor at Condé Nast Traveller. As Editor-in-chief at Mr & Mrs Smith for 13 years, contributing editor to Louis Vuitton City Guides and a journalist for over two decades, Juliet’s travel and spa tips appear in a plethora of high-end publications from Condé Nast Traveller and Harpers Bazaar to The Independent and National Geographic.

Through her consultancy website, BOUTECO, she works with award-winning brands to help them stand for something and stand out for it, amplifying messages that matter and sharpening their spirit of sustainability.

She’s been an expert speaker on many a travel panel and a judge for numerous high-end awards from architecture to boutique hotels. There’s nothing Juliet loves more than inspiring people with her travel tips and wellness experiences. Juliet is also a celebrated author and her book THE BUCKET LIST ECO EXPERIENCES: Traveling the World, Sustaining the Earth was published in 2022.

Suzanne is currently spa expert at The Telegraph and regularly contributes lead articles to The Times. Previously editor of The Tatler Spa Guide and beauty director of Cosmopolitan magazine, Suzanne is a sort after industry creative consultant to major beauty and wellbeing brands.

Suzanne is also founder of the holistic lifestyle website Onolla where she offers clients a fast track way to a cleaner, greener life through one to one lifestyle MOT’s, bathroom detoxes, and her recommendations of leading practitioners and tried and tested skincare products.

Suzanne’s mission is to encourage and guide people to sustain themselves, their loved ones and the planet. Onolla endorsers include Cat Deeley, Kate Winslet and Miranda Hart.

Alice Hart-Davis is a celebrated beauty journalist and founder of The Tweakments Guide website, the UK’s leading resource for people wanting independent information about non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

While she still loves print media, writing regularly for publications including the Daily Mail and The Times, and facilitates real-life events, she spends most of her time online, charting her adventures in the world of tweakments, beauty and spas on Instagram and The Tweakments Guide.

As a self-described industry disrupter with a personal passion for wellbeing, Lindsay has spent the past 23 years working across the globe for some of the most prestigious luxury hospitality leaders, becoming a leading voice and ambassador in the wellness industry. She is also the founder of Meraki Bespoke Wellness Strategies, a consultancy dedicated to building bespoke wellness concepts.

Lindsay current holds the role of Senior Director Wellness Strategy and Development for Red Sea Global. Lindsay is responsible for actively steering the Wellness Strategy for a visionary developer of two of the world’s most ambitious hospitality and regenerative tourism projects. She supports the development team to identify and analyze industry insights, converting these into an actionable strategic roadmap that delivers on Red Sea Global’s ambitions for wellness in the region. Lindsay’s expertise will help bring strength and credibility to international communications, ensuring both projects become a global reference point for health and wellbeing.

Lindsay co-leads as Vice-Chair of the Global Wellness Tourism Initiative by the Global Wellness Institute, a research-led team that aims to gain a deep understanding of the foundations that make for great wellness destinations—as well as the motivations that spur travelers to visit them—then integrates these learnings into a successful destination strategy.

As Deputy Editor at European Spa Magazine Mark Smith has been writing about men’s grooming and spas for over 20 years.

Reviewing spas since 2007 he visits around 30 venues a year and regularly speaks about the male spa market. He has written for Vogue, Tatler, Daily Telegraph and Men’s Fitness.

He also works as a consultant and has recently launched the new mindfulness-based wellbeing company Kalm Horizons.

With over thirty years of experience in the beauty, wellness and spa industry, Teresa is passionate about creating memorable and exceptional experiences for guests and staff alike. In addition to her role as Spa Director at Coworth Park, Teresa is also the Global Head of Wellness and Spa at Dorchester Collection, overseeing the strategy, development, and operations of wellness and spa services across ten luxury hotels in the UK, Europe, US and the Middle East. She has successfully introduced new wellness concepts, partnerships, and offerings that have increased revenue, occupancy, and guest satisfaction. A recent example of her many achievements was the launch of the global Wellness Menu, available to guests within their room or suite, designed to further elevate the holistic experience of a stay within a Dorchester Collection hotel.

Teresa is also Advisory Board Member for the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care – a group of passionate industry experts working together to achieve the gold standard in holistic cancer care; with a shared vision to ensure that every spa, salon and independent therapist has the skills to provide touch therapies for anyone with, being treated or recovering from cancer, with confidence.

Teresa’s mission is to inspire and empower people to achieve their wellness goals and live a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Sue Harmsworth MBE is best known as a visionary leader who has been committed to the spa and wellness industry for more than 50 years. Now, she is turning her experience and knowledge to championing preventative health and pursuing her vision to bring the worlds of medicine and wellbeing together.

Having founded the global brand, ESPA, she has been responsible for the design of over 500 award-winning spas in 65 countries, and has created groundbreaking products, treatments and wellbeing programmes around the world. Her commitment to the wellness industry saw her awarded an MBE by the late Queen. Other awards have included the GWS Leading Woman in Wellness, the ISPA Visionary Award, American Spa Industry Icon and CEW’s Achiever Award.  Now sitting on the advisory boards for the Global Wellness Institute, Red Sea Global, Centagio, Trivananda and the NCICC, she also works advising owners and private equity on concepts for integrative wellness, medical destinations, advanced aesthetics and skincare. 

Sue’s wide-reaching background has fuelled her personal and professional interest in preventative health. Within that, a longstanding passion for improving the spa experience for cancer patients and advocating for the role of the wellness sector in public health led to the launch of the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) in 2020. The registered charity aims to set the standard in holistic cancer care by connecting expert training, spa therapists and wellness providers with those going through their cancer journey. On a wider note, Sue is also working closely with doctors, innovators, and wellbeing professionals across all spheres to drive the conversation in integrated wellbeing, with aspirations to make healthcare more connected for better outcomes.

Initially graduating from University with an Honours Degree in Recreation Management, Jamie has worked within the wellness industry for over 30 years both domestically and internationally.

Jamie has worked across different areas of the spa industry; as Spa Director learning his craft at Gleneagles, but also as an integral part of the international consultancy team at ESPA – working in partnership with brands such as Ritz Carlton, Leela Group, Mondrian, Corinthia, Fairmont, and many industry leading independent properties. Working with these hospitality giants allowed him to gain a valuable insight into spa and wellness cultures worldwide as well as tailored business support comprising of financial modelling, pre-opening planning and ongoing operational management.

Since joining The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, he has supported the relaunch in 2019, developing the product and service offering, building strong business partnerships and positioning within the market. Most recently he has brought this knowledge and experience to support the management team with the opening of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and The Spa Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino in his role of Area Director of Mandarin Oriental Spa Division Europe.

Named Hall of Wellness’ Global Wellness Personality of the Year, Nigel Franklyn is The Spa Whisperer: a unique visionary, strategic creative, wellness influencer and veteran of the global luxury wellness industry, renowned for his innovative approach to both concept development and wellness design.
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For over 25 years, Nigel has stood at the forefront of the wellness evolution, working extensively around the world with some of the most iconic luxury properties in the industry, including Four Seasons, George V, Paris, The Siam Bangkok, Aman Resorts, The Oberoi Group and the re-development of the Medical Aesthetics and Spa Wellness Center at Clinique La Prairie, Switzerland.

Having spent his career at the helm of the global wellness evolution, helping shape and mold the industry as we know it today, Nigel has joined forces with some of his greatest friends and colleagues to create MOSS of the ISLES and Moss Wellness Consulting: a collaborative and synergistic merging of decades of knowledge and experience, and a deep-rooted passion for authentic, conscious wellbeing.

A master of creating spaces that fluidly incorporates increasing demands for both science-based results and emotional, transformative experiences, Nigel re-energizes and redefines holistic practices by developing luxury “result destinations”: environments that are able to seamlessly harness and juxtapose the benefits and advancements of science in an environment of mindfulness and wellbeing.

Uwern Jong (he/him) is Experientialist®-in-Chief and co-Founder at OutThere magazine, a multi-award luxury and experiential travel journal rooted in its brand values of diversity, discovery and discernment.

A luxury travel expert, hotel aficionado and inclusive and intersectional tourism advocate, Uwern is at the forefront of LGBTQ+ and diversity tourism, representing destinations like Thailand, Malta and Stockholm as part of his brand ambassadorships.

He has recently spearheaded IGLTA’s (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) new hotel global LGBTQ+ accreditation programme, IGLTA Accredited™ and has been a member of the association’s board of directors for three terms. Uwern was recently awarded by the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) as LGBTQ+ Travel Trailblazer of the Year and by Walpole (the association of British luxury brands) as one of the top 50 most influential people in British luxury.

Sandie Johannessen is the Group Director of Spa and Wellness for Minor International. She holds a pivotal position overseeing MSpa International and Minor’s spa & wellness divisions. Her primary responsibilities encompass implementing brand standards, developing strategic business initiatives, and expanding the portfolio of medical partnerships for comprehensive spa & wellness solutions.

A Danish national, Johannessen has built an impressive career spanning over 20 years in the spa and wellness industry, generating recognition from prestigious entities such as Conde Nast Traveller and World Spa and Wellness. Throughout her career, Johannessen has excelled in delivering extensive exceptional services across a range of renowned five-star luxury hotels, resorts, spas by in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Her expertise lies in developing and implementing comprehensive wellness programmes that emphasise holistic wellbeing.

Johannessen’s educational background further complements her extensive experience. She holds a degree in dietary analysis providing her with a unique perspective on the importance of nutrition in wellness. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Yogic Science from Bangalore University, India showcasing her commitment to promoting holistic wellness practices. With her wealth of experience, commitment to excellence, and diverse educational background, Sandie stands as a true luminary in the spa and wellness industry, driving innovation and elevating standards across the board.

Mia is the founder of Kyricos & Associates, LLC, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to advancing the business of wellness & wellbeing globally. Previously, she was SVP & Global Head of Wellbeing for Hyatt, Chief Brand Officer for Spafinder Wellness, Vice President for EXOS’ workplace wellness division and Global Director of Spa Brands for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. She is a co-founding board member of the Global Wellness Institute and was recently named GWS’ Leading Woman in Wellness and Cornell University’s Innovator of the Year.

Mia’s mission is to help people live well and love more.

Abi is founder of Europe’s leading spa booking agency Spabreaks.com. Launched in 2008 with a team of two interns, just four months after her first son was born, Abi’s founding principle for Spabreaks.com was to make spa experiences more accessible to anybody and everybody. She wanted to bring back the ancient purpose of spas as places of sanctuary for mind and body.

Having started the company in the middle of a recession, by 2012 Spabreaks.com had reached the number two position in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, at the end of the financial year for 2022 their turnover was £32m. Today Spabreaks.com sends more than 12,000 people on spa days and breaks each week, and has a customer database of more than one million people. The number of venues they work with now exceeds 600 in the UK and overseas.

One of Abi’s central focuses within her working life is to give confidence to other individuals in their work and careers. Many members of her team have risen through the company ranks and have remained with Spabreaks.com for 15 years, while others have gone on to start their own businesses following her mentorship.

Now a mother of three, Abi’s home and family life continues to inform her professional practices, particularly when it comes to the support she provides to her team. She takes a personal approach to professional and personal support. She sees mentoring young women as a fundamental part of her role, and is an advocate of flexibility in the workplace to support individuals and to help accommodate personal life circumstances. One of Abi’s central focuses within her working life is to give confidence to other individuals in their work and careers.

She is also active in supporting the spa industry as a whole. She has sat on the board of the UK Spa Association for four years and was made Chair in 2023 (UKSA is an association focused on improving the quality, training, standards, inclusiveness, and professionalism at all levels within the spa trade). She is also on the Advisory Board for the SATCC (Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care), a registered charity, dedicated to setting the standard in holistic cancer care to bring expert training, spa therapists and those who need them, together.

Tracey Woodward is a highly respected, experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the cosmetics and wellbeing industries; skilled in leadership, marketing management, retail, sales, spa and product Development she is an inspiring and motivational leader.

Leading the way in self-care and wellbeing, Tracey is a key opinion former and a recognised contributor both online and in printed media. Tracey is an industry thought leader and currently sits on several boards as an advisory director for Beauty Bulb and Murdock London. She is also co-creator for Kalmar and an Operating Partner for Cedar-Bridge Investments.

Her personal interests include transformational wellness holidays, biohacking, longevity and vitality for life.

Lucy is the Founder and Director of Sustainable Wellness.

As part of her role as Director at Sustainable Wellness, Lucy is responsible for the their Global Campaigns: UNFCCC Wellness for Climate Action, UNEP Wellness for Biodiversity, UNEP Wellness for Water Stewardship, Plastic Free Spa and #zerowastechallenge.

Her career has taken her on the path of working as a therapist, an innovative wellness at work business owner, European Group Spa Director and now the Co-founder of the Sustainable Spa Association. Alongside this she is involved in working as a consultant to sustainable spa and wellness resorts to assist in a strategic yet creative business vision. She directs her focus to international wellness concepts, sustainable business planning and the future of ESG investment strategies.

She proudly chairs The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Initiative for the Global Wellness Institute, is an expert on the Global Panel for Sustainability for HospitalityNet and Global Sustainability Ambassador for World Wellness Weekend. She believes that a successful spa and wellness strategy is intrinsically linked to sustainability.

As one of the UK’s leading make up artists not only does Kim Brown travel the world working on fashion and beauty shoots for publications including Vogue, Elle and Harpers Bazaar, she also regularly beautifies an array of a-list stars including Cate Blanchett, Rosamund Pike and Uma Therman.

Kim has collaborated with many acclaimed designers, including Preen and Jonathan Saunders and has also worked with icons of photography including David Bailey and Peter Lindbergh. Kim is currently the beauty director of high-end quarterly fashion and style magazine Glass. 

Kim is also trained in shiatsu massage and has a passion for travel, aromatherapy and wellness.