Exclusive: UK Spa Association announces new general manager

Bobby Griffiths will join the association as its new full-time GM

By Wendy Golledge

13 February 2024

www.spa-uk.org

The UK Spa Association (UKSA) has announced the appointment of Bobby Griffiths as its new full-time general manager.

Formerly the spa manager at Dormy House and Armathwaite Hall, Griffiths will lead the trade body alongside chair, Abi Selby, into “a new chapter of change and evolution”.

A previous serving UKSA board member, Griffiths rejoins the team bringing with her more than 29 years of experience in the luxury spa and hospitality sector.

A ‘critical moment’ in spa

Speaking exclusively to European Spa, Griffiths said: “I am both humbled and delighted to take on the role of general manager for the UK Spa Association at this critical moment in the industry’s future.

“It is an honour to serve the industry that has given me so much; I thank the board for the trust and confidence they have placed in me.”

“I aim to work tirelessly to progress the UKSA over the coming months and am looking forward to working with my industry peers to see what can be achieved with our combined experience and shared passion for spa and wellness."

Bobby Griffiths

General manager, UKSA

Griffiths’ career includes a broad range of experience within the industry.

Before working for Dormy House and Armathwaite Hall, she began her career a spa therapist at Ragdale Hall Spa. She has also worked worldwide on projects for industry giants including Mandarin Oriental and ESPA International.

Griffiths will oversees day-to-day operations, manage the board and be responsible, alongside Selby, for the strategic direction of the association.

She will be looking at the UKSA’s membership benefits, strategic partnerships and the bigger issues the spa industry is facing around recruitment and therapist retention and wellbeing.

Griffiths will begin work at the UKSA on March 5.

A woman in a blue dress and a women in a white shirt — The UKSA's departing GM, Yvonne Ebdon (left) with chair Abi Selby at the assocaation's 2023 Spring Networking event

UKSA departing GM

Yvonne Ebdon, who has been GM for the last three years, is moving on to support women and parents in the workplace, in a new role as business development manager for the charity Tommy’s.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the association and see it grow from strength to strength,” said Ebdon.

“The decision to move on was not an easy one, but I am absolutely delighted to hand over to Bobby. Having worked alongside her as a board member years ago, I know the association will be in good hands.”

“The quality and quantity of the applicants we received for this role were wonderful; this is testament to the vision and excitement surrounding the future of the UKSA and the changes we are putting in place.”

Abi Selby

Chair, UKSA and founder, Spabreaks.com

“I am delighted that we have been through a transparent and thorough recruitment process to get to our chosen GM,” said Abi Selby, founder of Spabreaks.com and chair of the UKSA.

“Our four shortlisted candidates were all strong, very capable individuals with exceptional experience within the beauty and spa industries.”

Scottish networking event 2024

The UKSA’s first networking event in Scotland will be hosted at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh on Wednesday, February 28 from 10am until 3.30pm.

Speakers will include Beata Aleksandrowicz, international expert on massage, healing and women’s wellbeing, and Ramin Salehi, founder of Cornerstone Training.