LEADERS WE LOVE: A Q&A WITH LISA BARDEN

Lisa Barden is the Director of Barden Spa, a Board Director for the Standards Authority in Touch for Cancer Care (SATCC) and the Group Director of Spa and Wellness at Arora Group.  Currently pre-opening the inspirational project at Fairmont Windsor Park developing a Spa and Wellness Concept that will marry the traditional spa therapies with meaningful, transformative wellness experiences.  Lisa has previously served as Chair of the UK Spa Association and is a true advocate of wellness for all.

As a leader we love, a mentor and a true champion of the spa industry, we spoke with Lisa about her incredible career, the imminent unveiling of the Fairmont project and her hopes or the future of the industry.

What have been your career highlights?

Acting as the Personal Programmes Consultant for Grayshott Hall between 2001-2003 and creating bespoke programmes for every guest in residence. Not only did this allow for a truly effective stay at Grayshott but I got to truly listen to what the guest’s goals were and help enable the outcome.

Travelling the world for ESPA for the best part of a decade is another highlight. Meeting so many incredibly gifted and caring people who dedicated their lives to help others feel better in their skin and then watching their careers blossom – some of which hold senior leadership roles in the most prestigious spas making real differences to people’s lives. Of course, being awarded the inaugural Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to the Spa Industry from the UKSA.

Tell us about your current projects?

Working with Surinder Arora in creating two floors of spa & wellness for the highly anticipated opening of the Fairmont Windsor Park. 2500 m2 of what we plan to be a fully integrative spa & wellness facility incorporating everything from cryotherapy to hammam, massage to maintenance, 4d scanning to emotional health & lifestyle and bringing together both fitness & spa under one wellness umbrella.

What are your hopes for the future of the Spa Industry?

We open our doors to all… those who need us the most battle to quality time in a nurturing and supportive environment as their life limiting condition precludes them from coming through our doors of our spas. The collective efforts of the SATCC board in the last 18 months have meant we are ever closer to achieving this goal. More people in more spas, more often.

What do you see are the important topics we should be elevating in the industry?

People People People. Investing, supporting, and leading our teams so every day is a pleasure. Spending 8/9/10hours in a therapy room when you know that outside of that time with the guest you are valued. We are in a privileged position as Therapists to have one person trusting the improved outcome of their wellbeing during that time and so in turn, we need to see the ‘person’ inside of Therapist and inspire them, nurture them and lead them in how to not only take care of their guest but of themselves first and foremost.