New Leadership at the British Spa Association ahead of relaunch

Charlie Thompson, head of health and beauty at Virgin Active, is the new chair of the British Spa Association (SpaBA).

Thompson was elected following former chair Suki Kalirai’s decision to step down. Kalirai will remain a SpaBA board member and will also become honorary president.

Thompson, previously director of operations at Espa and spa operations consultant for Anne Sémonin, is joined by two new deputy chairs − Champneys managing director Alex de Carvalho and Lesley Bacon, group health club and spa manager at Hand Picked Hotels. Previous deputy chair Andrew Hammond will remain on the SpaBA board.

The changes to the SpaBA board comes ahead of an organisation overhaul in early 2013. Commenting on the future, Thompson said: “With SpaBA's relaunch in 2013, we will become a central hub for the spa industry, a cohesive force empowering our industry to reach its true potential.”