SpaFest 2025 sparks a wave of heart-led conversation

SpaFest 2025 brought together leading voices in the spa and wellness industry for two days of collaboration, learning and inspiration, with inclusivity and sustainability at its core.

Held on September 1-2 at Carden Park Hotel & Spa in Cheshire, the event delivered powerful business insights and heartfelt human connection.

The annual UK conference, founded by Amanda Winwood from Made for Life Organics, has built a reputation as a heart-led gathering that blends practical business intelligence with personal development; carrying a mission to open spas up to people living with cancer.

This year’s programme, developed in collaboration with Sue Harmsworth MBE, founder of the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) and ESPA, balanced business with meaningful conversation.

Supported by a host of sponsors and media partner European Spa magazine, delegates were welcomed with treatments and wellness workshops that set the tone for a restorative yet purposeful event.

Building strong business foundations

Financial resilience was a central theme of day one. In a memorable keynote, spa industry pioneer Sue Harmsworth MBE explored the evolving language of the spa world.

Sharing insights from her 55-year spa career, she discussed the pitfalls of the dilution in terms of service delivery across spa, wellness and integrated health services and urged delegates to “calm the noise” and gain clarity about what they deliver.

She also emphasised the importance of training budgets and called on spas to increase these significantly for long-term success.

Harmsworth also chaired the session entitled ‘Finance for Success: building strong financial foundations for your spa, salon or wellness business’. The expert panel featured Emma Pridding, spa director at Carden Park; Jamie Pagan, operations director and Wildsmith; and Spa Well founder, Sara Young.

The thought-provoking panel session addressed budgets, profitability and key performance indicators to drive growth and success.

Leading with heart

Sarah Camilleri, editorial director of European Spa, reflected on more than two decades of spa and wellness journalism, and her own mission to help the industry grow and prosper.

Reflecting on how the industry delivers a vital service to humanity, she said: “Spa and wellness is about human connection and how we can deliver much-needed self-care and sanctuary in a rapidly changing world.”

She went on to outline five shifts in spa consumer demand that are set to shape the future.

A subsequent panel, also chaired by Sue Harmsworth, was entitled ‘The key to overcoming industry challenges and securing future success’. Speakers Diane Hey from Habia and Armonia; Jenny Storey from The Academy; and Peigin Crowley from Ground Wellbeing emphasised that investing in people is critical to retaining talent, raising standards and future-proofing businesses.

The neuroscience of touch

Neuroscience specialist Louise Baker delivered a fascinating session exploring the neuroplasticity of the brain and how stress responses govern human interaction.

She explained how trauma and stress can trigger a “guarding” response – an automatic muscular contraction designed to prevent further damage. Baker demonstrated how ultra-slow massage movements can switch this response off.

In conversation with Clare Dickens from Made for Life Foundation, she also highlighted the power of active listening and compassionate touch as vital tools for therapist-client connection. This reinforces the importance of training therapists to be present, calm and non-judgmental.

Wellbeing and leadership

Day two began with optional wellbeing activities, including the Made for Life Walk for Wellness led by Kay Pennington, Laura Meeson and Emma-Jane North.

Jamie Edwards from Trained Brain then delivered an energising opening, exploring the power of journalling and honest conversation.

This was followed by brand strategist Arif Isikgun from Ai Beauty, who presented ‘Crafting the brand journey’, offering practical frameworks for aligning brand identity with customer expectations.

The next panel session was entitled ‘The emergence of the mindful consumer: profit meets purpose’, chaired by Amanda Winwood, featured Maria Mason, Helena Field and Helena Grzesk.

Together, they examined the rise of values-driven spa clients seeking authenticity and purpose, and how operators an meet these expectations without losing commercial strength.

Stronger together

A highlight of the day was an energising session by Iain Bell from Executive Fitness Foundation on ‘The vital role of exercise and nutrition in supporting clients through life’.

With a focus on cancer pre-habilitation and rehabilitation, Bell was joined by Stephen Price, Movementum, for a Q&A exploring proactive ways to optimise health through movement, nutrition, and mindfulness.

This theme continued in ‘Lifelong wellness: how the spa industry can support clients through every stage of life’, beautifully chaired by Laura Meeson.

Panelists were Adam and Lisa from St Columba’s Hospice; Sarah Hurst of Rising Above Cancer; and Emma Williams, lead trainer at Made for Life Organics. The session explored the industry’s role in providing inclusive care across the spectrum from vitality to vulnerability.

Sharing St Columba’s Hospice mission to build a pioneering new spa in Scotland to generate income for hospice services, Lisa’s story moved hearts and minds across the room.

Lessons and pledges

The day closed with SpaFest Life Lessons, where attendees shared pledges and personal commitments to carry learning forward.

Frances Hayter, treasurer of the Made for Life Foundation, announced the event had raised around £8,000  for the charity, funding future SpaFest Gives Back Tea & Therapy events to support people living with cancer.

Tea & Therapy

Paying forward the work of the Made for Life Foundation, on the third day Carden Park and the Foundation team welcomed guests to the Great British Tea & Therapy Day, a retreat dedicated to people living with cancer.

Through treatments and connection, the event embodied the charity’s mission of inclusivity and care, leaving delegates with a renewed sense of purpose.

“It was a privilege to host the Great British Tea and Therapy at Carden Park,” said Emma Pridding. “It was such an inspiring day of wellbeing, giving people living with cancer the confidence that they can walk into our spa and receive a spa experience safely with open arms.”

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