European Spa interview: Kent Richards announces plans for new consultancy

Following his departure from Six Senses, Kent Richards has announced plans for his new venture, Wellness World Global.

Prior to joining Six Senses, Richards worked across Asia in various leadership roles with health and movement companies including Jatomi Fitness Group, Virgin Active and Fitness First.

He was also director of spa at W Hotels and was director of Bliss Hong Kong.

We spoke to the industry veteran about his 11-year tenure at the global hospitality group where he was corporate director of spa and wellness operations. We also ask what the future has in store for his new consultancy.

What are you most proud of from your time at Six Senses?

“I would say it is working with a team, to create and implement strategies making wellness accessible for all at Six Senses properties. Always being true to company values specifically sustainability and sensitive to local cultures.

“Developing ways to rank our locations according to our own expectations used to motivate all to get to their highest potential. Spa and wellness services and facilities are like all businesses and needs to be analysed to grow results.

“At Six Senses facilities design is always innovative, but it’s the people who made it an award-winning respected brand

“I am proud to have been part of one of the fastest growing wellness hospitality brands in the world today. One of our core challenges was to always develop, grow and find wellness leaders who matched the company culture and had the experience and skill necessary.”

What lessons have you learned from your time at Six Senses?

 “I look back at how I started with some embarrassment. My health club membership days and fiercely competitive spa markets in New York and Hong Kong made me pretty gung-ho and harshly direct.

“Six Senses taught me to be inclusive hearing multiple opinions before a strategy was implemented. It also taught me that all steps forward are progress. Finally, while being direct can be good, it needs to add value to the process.

“Having the experience to create strategies for success in over 20 countries with different cultures and markets has been not only a golden opportunity, but an invaluable experience.”

Do you have a favourite Six Senses spa?

“Over the years we not only created and operated spas in Six Senses properties but also in more than 20 partner hotels. Each one is unique to reflect its environment and special in its own way, but Six Senses Spa at Kocatas Mansions – think cliff-edge infinite pools overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey – is unique.

Fort Barwara – originally the female palace in this 700-year-old fort in Rajasthan, India – and our ‘partner’ spas at the Elounda Collection [Crete, Greece] and the Alpina in Gstaad, Switzerland are firm favourites.”

Can you name your favourite Six Senses hotel?  

“All of them but worthy of special mentions are Six Senses Rome, Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles and Laamu, Maldives, with Six Senses London looking to be well worth the wait.”

Looking back, is there anyone you would like to thank?

“Neil Jacobs and Anna Bjurstam – both of whom led with authenticity, sincerity, strength and loads of innovation making every day exciting. But never forgetting the over 5,000 hosts who deliver the values and experiences everyday making the brand a global leader.”

What can you say about your future?

“The future is bright! I’m enjoying the freedom of working with multiple brands and projects focused now on delivering wellness strategies across multiple cultures.

“My new project, Wellness World Global has been established to make the most of my experiences and skills from a lifetime in spa, fitness, wellness and hospitality.

“Strong relationships from throughout my career together with trusted collaborations, have us working on projects across most continents.

“We also have a passion for Africa and operate through the Africa Wellness Initiative as part of the Global Wellness Institute.”

Find out more at the soon to launch website: www.wellnessworldglobal.com

Sign up here to receive our weekly news delivered direct to your inbox