Geraldine Howard dies following battle with cancer

Industry luminary and Aromatherapy Associates founder Geraldine Howard passed away last night following a long battle with cancer.

Howard was regarded as a driving force in the spa and beauty industry, involved in countless industry events and associations as well as taking Aromatherapy Associates worldwide.

She founded Aromatherapy Associates in 1985 with Sue Beechey, following extensive training in the 1970s with renowned aromatherapist Michelle Arcier.

The British brand grew to become an international success through spa and salon accounts as well as retail stores.

Following her diagnosis with a type of eye cancer in 2011, Howard was very open about her treatment, inspiring others with her positivity.

She developed the Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength collection based on a blend that helped her during treatment and donated 10% of proceeds from sales to charity Defence Against Cancer Foundation.

Tributes for Howard have already flooded social media sites, with those in the industry using terms such as “inspiration”, “majestic” and “giver of peace” to describe her.