European Spa announces Visionary Leader Award

European Spa has revealed Sue Harmsworth MBE as the recipient of its first Visionary Leader Award.

The award was presented at the European Spa Event, which was held at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London on January 29.

Honouring Sue Harmsworth, European Spa’s founder Sarah Camilleri said: “It’s my absolute privilege to present our Visionary Leader Award to someone who has touched the lives of every one of our VIP guests in this room.

“For more than 50 years, she hasn’t just been part of our industry, she has shaped it, elevated it, and moved it forward. Her impact has been recognised at the highest level, including an MBE from the late Queen.”

‘Making our industry more human’

“As the founder of ESPA, a global brand responsible for more than 500 award-winning spas in 65 countries, Sue has created products, treatments and wellbeing programmes that influence our industry worldwide,” said Camilleri.

“Through the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC), she is helping ensure people living with cancer can access spa treatments safely, making our industry more inclusive, more trusted and more human.”

On receiving the award, Harmsworth addressed the 235 delegates gathered at the European Spa Event:

“I’m honoured to receive this award; the spa industry has given me so much. The generosity our speakers have mentioned is very much a part of where we should all be going. Our industry is so needed now, with all the disturbance in the world.

“I never stop learning; I am nearly 81 and I still learn something every day. We’re a sympathetic and empathetic industry, but we must all keep our brains open to learning; now is the time to go into different industries and learn from them.

“I would like to thank Sarah and the European Spa team – the impact they have on the industry is amazing.”

The European Spa Leaders’ Resource

The event also saw the launch of the European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026, a source of global intelligence for spa leaders everywhere.

The European Spa Leaders’ Resource showcases the super brands of spa and wellness, offers insight and expert advice, plus a directory of key premium suppliers and leading brands.

The book showcases ten global spa leaders, 22 global spa and wellness associations and ten platinum spas for 2026. As well as five in-depth thought leadership stories, it includes six comprehensive business features covering topics of the utmost relevance to spa decision makers.

Download your free copy here.