Author: Sarah Camilleri

The spa industry, a thriving contributor to the wider beauty and personal care sector is also proud to celebrate the extraordinary work of Helena Grzesk MBE, who represented spas for many years in her previous role as general manager of the UK Spa Association and at the start of the pandemic and more recently, as COO of the British Beauty Council and UKSA policy maker. 

 

Speaking exclusively to European Spa, she said: “I’m overwhelmed and humbled to be honoured in this way, I never expected to receive such extraordinary recognition. My passion for the spa industry fuelled my dogged determination to fight for the sector I care for so deeply in the face of continued challenges and obstacles. I simply wasn’t prepared to give up,” she said. “This award is a demonstration of the positive steps forward we have taken at the British Beauty Council being recognised as a global leader in innovation and education. We are so truly proud of the work we have achieved to date – this is the culmination of that work.” 

 

Grzesk MBE also paid tribute tothe work of the UK Spa Association team and members. “UKSA has been instrumental in championing the spa sector throughout the pandemic. This award is a demonstration of the strides we have taken in beginning to reposition the perception and importance of spa, for health and wellbeing. This will continue through our relationship with government in 2022.”

 

Commenting on Helena’s MBE award, Yvonne Ebdon, general manager of the UK Spa Association, said. “Helena is an incredibly passionate and dedicated woman who when the global pandemic hit, went above and beyond her role to fight wholeheartedly for the spa sector. To be awarded with an MBE is truly outstanding and I know I speak for all of our members when I say that she truly was the only point of call in a very turbulent time. Helena is an integral part of the spa sector and continues to work closely with government for the UKSA and its members”.