Phytomer relaunches in UK and Ireland

Family-run marine biotech skincare company Phytomer has relaunched in the UK and Ireland with two new appointments and a renewed sustainability vision.

Led by Tristan Lagarde and Mathilde Gédouin-Lagarde, the third-generation French skincare house was founded in Brittany in 1972.

It is relaunching its UK and Irish subsidiary with a focus on world-class sustainability credentials.

To drive this new chapter, Phytomer has announced it’s working with strategic business consultants Clair Davidson and Sam Humby Frost.

Together they will build new partnerships and support existing spa partners while enabling the founders to pursue a strategy of long-term investment in the UK and Irish spa markets.

Building meaningful partnerships

Sam Humby Frost is a spa, wellness and beauty consultant with more than 30 years’ experience across education, operations, guest experience and commercial development.

Her career began with professional training at Champneys and her experience includes helping launch the British Airways Travel Spas at Heathrow, Gatwick and JFK in the US.

Clair Davidson is a strategic growth and partnership consultant with more than 30 years’ of global experience. She has worked across luxury hospitality, spa, wellness, beauty, distribution, retail and hotel amenities.

In the UK, Phytomer currently works with a number of partners including the Old Course Hotel St Andrews, Government House, Stobo Castle and the Royal Yacht Club.

The global brand has partnerships in more than 80 countries with over 10,000 spas worldwide.

Sustainability in action

Phytomer has EcoVadis Platinum status, a sustainability accolade awarded to the top one per cent of companies globally.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the business, from ingredient cultivation to manufacturing and long-term partner support.

Still headquartered within and around the original family home in Saint-Malo after more than five decades, Phytomer retains control over its research and development.

Its marine and botanical active ingredients are developed in-house.

“The sea has always been part of our family’s story,” said director general Mathilde Gédouin-Lagarde.

“It inspires everything we do and reminds us of our responsibility to protect it. Sustainability isn’t something we’ve added to the business – it’s simply part of who we are.”

A professional spa brand

“Spa guests increasingly want both visible results and an experience that still feels luxurious, personal and memorable,” said Humby Frost.

“At the same time, many brands once considered exclusive to spa are becoming available online and through mainstream retail. This makes it harder for operators to protect their point of difference.

“Phytomer offers a true professional spa brand, combining more than 50 years of marine science with results-led treatments. The sea is not a marketing theme; it is its laboratory.”

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