Conference

Keynote

Jennifer Walsh

KEYNOTE - BEAUTY, BIOPHILIA & THE BRAIN: How Neuroaesthetics is Transforming the Future of Spas and Spaces

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As the wellness industry evolves, spas are uniquely positioned to become more than places of treatment, they can become environments that actively support brain health, emotional regulation, and human connection.

In this keynote, Jennifer explores the emerging field of neuroaesthetics and how beauty, environment, and sensory experience directly influence the human nervous system. Drawing on 30 years of experience at the intersection of beauty, retail, and nature-based wellness, she introduces a powerful new framework for designing spaces that truly restore.

Attendees will learn how the brain responds to environmental cues and why these inputs can significantly impact stress, mood, and memory. The session will also highlight how these principles can be applied immediately to elevate guest experience, increase perceived value, and differentiate spa environments in a competitive market. Jennifer delivers a visually rich, story-driven keynote that blends science, real-world application, and lived experience.

This presentation is designed to inspire while offering practical insights that attendees can immediately apply, engaging audiences across spa operations, design, and leadership through a universally relevant lens of human wellbeing. This session is both inspiring and practical, offering a clear path forward for spa operators, designers, and wellness leaders looking to align with the future of wellness.

ABOUT JENNIFER WALSH

Jennifer Walsh is a pioneer in experiential retail and wellness, founder of Beauty Bar, the first omni-channel beauty retailer in the U.S.in the 1990’s and creator of Lost Art of Being Human. Her work bridges beauty, neuroscience, and nature to help businesses design environments that enhance wellbeing, performance, and human connection.

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Keynote

Kat Thorne

KEYNOTE: THE ONE HABIT ADVANTAGE: Creating happier, healthier & higher performing people

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Spa leaders and teams operate in environments where calm, care and consistency are expected - no matter what’s happening behind the scenes. Focus, energy and decision-making don’t just impact performance; they shape the entire guest experience.

In this interactive keynote, Kat Thorne reveals how one small, intentional habit can unlock up to 15% greater performance by improving focus, resilience and consistency. Rather than relying on willpower or pushing through, you’ll learn how habits create the foundation for sustainable high performance - especially during busy periods, organisational change and evolving industry demands.

You will learn:

• How daily habits influence energy, presence and performance across your team
• Why improving performance at work starts with your habits
• How one small habit can elevate both team performance and guest experience - without adding more to your workload

You’ll leave with a simple, practical framework and one habit you can implement immediately - supporting how you perform at work, how you contribute to your team, and how you show up at home.

About Kat Thorne

Kat Thorne is an international keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and positive habits expert, helping leaders and teams unlock higher performance through one small, practical habit change. Kat's work shows that habits are not personal - they are a strategic advantage in human performance, improving focus, energy and productivity. Kat will equip you and your team with simple tools to drive measurable results at work and home.

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Transformative Practice

Michelle Hammond

TRANSFORMATIVE PRACTICE IN ACTION: exploring the bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science to develop experiences that truly deliver.

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Transformative Practice in Action is a dedicated conference track, curated exclusively for Spa Life by Michelle Hammond, Founder of TPOT Education.

As the wellness industry continues to evolve, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: the future of health and longevity does not lie in constant reinvention, but in meaningful reconnection.

This unique track explores the bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science to create experiences that genuinely support health span - not just momentary relaxation, but measurable, lasting wellbeing.

Opening the new series, Michelle sets the tone with a powerful and thought-provoking session that reframes the current landscape of wellness. Drawing on over 30 years of clinical, educational and industry experience, she explores the growing disconnect at the heart of modern health, and what it means to reconnect more intelligently:

•    To self - through nervous system awareness, regulation and embodied understanding
•    To one another - through the therapeutic power of touch, presence and human connection
•    To the world around us - through nature, environment and the spaces we design and inhabit

Blending timeless principles with emerging science around stress, inflammation, and human physiology, this session lays the foundation for a new way of thinking - one that moves beyond trends and treatments, and towards integrated, intelligent wellbeing.

Because better health isn’t about doing more…it’s about understanding what truly matters.

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Progressive Thinking

Kerry Turpin

SHARED CHALLENGES, SMART SOLUTIONS: A Progressive Approach to Spa Leadership

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Kerry Turpin is Global Head of Spa & Wellness at Corinthia Hotels, where she leads the strategic direction and continual evolution of spa and integrated wellness experiences across the brand’s international portfolio.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Kerry brings a rare, end?to?end perspective—having progressed from frontline spa roles to senior global leadership. Her career spans some of the world’s most respected hospitality and spa brands, including ESPA International, The Ritz?Carlton Hotel Company, and Marriott International, where she led multi?site operations and performance?driven transformation across EMEA.

Recognised for her progressive, commercially grounded approach, Kerry is passionate about supporting modern spa leaders to navigate complexity, challenge convention, and build resilient, future?focused teams while delivering meaningful guest experiences.

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Progressive Thinking

Mike Coppin

SHARED CHALLENGES, SMART SOLUTIONS: A Progressive Approach to Spa Leadership

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Mike Coppin is Group Spa Operations Manager at Historic Sussex Hotels, where he oversees multi-site spa operations with a strong focus on service excellence, team development, and guest experience.

With a background spanning spa management, hospitality leadership, and talent development, Mike is particularly passionate about building sustainable spa teams and supporting the next generation of industry professionals through education partnerships and skills development.

At Spa Life UK 2026, Mike brings a practical perspective to the panel, sharing frontline insights into spa performance, people strategy, and delivering meaningful wellbeing experiences in today’s hospitality landscape.

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Progressive Thinking

Tom McPherson Le Maire

UNLOCKING HIDDEN REVENUE IN YOUR SPA: Revealing untapped opportunities that could be quietly limiting your sales and profitability

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Tom MacPherson Le Maire is a seasoned skincare expert with over 20 years of experience in the sector. Specializing in luxury hotel and spa channels, he is passionate about hospitality and the integration of innovative wellness concepts.

Tom has worked across multiple channels, supporting go-to-market strategies for several emerging skincare brands. His career began with industry icons like The Body Shop, followed by nearly a decade at Clarins, where he honed his expertise in fast-paced commercial retail. During his time at Clarins, he held senior roles in training and field management, overseeing more than 70 staff members and driving significant business revenue.

Transitioning to work with SMEs and challenger skincare brands, Tom sought to amplify the voices of smaller brands often overshadowed by larger budgets. He led the EMEA region for Intraceuticals, an Australian oxygen facial brand, and later helped launch the Icelandic skincare brand BioEffect in Space NK, while also developing their spa and clinic division. He then established his own consultancy, collaborating with brands like Aromatherapy Associates across EMEA, Swedish skincare brand Swiss Clinic (launching them in Harvey Nichols), and The Hut Group.

Following the pandemic, Tom joined British luxury skincare brand 111SKIN, where he has spent the last five years overseeing their global spa division and export markets across MEA and LATAM. His extensive network within luxury hospitality facilitated 111SKIN’s successful entry into major hotel groups worldwide, including Mandarin Oriental, Marriott Luxury, Four Seasons, Rosewood, ACCOR Luxury, Hilton Luxury Brands, and Kempinski. Under his leadership, the brand’s spa channel grew exponentially, with high-profile partnerships like the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and other iconic global properties.

Effective February 2026 he is the founder and Chief Growth Officer of an independent consultancy Atelier Vitae specialising in brand building, route-to-market strategy, and the creation of omni-channel distribution opportunities across hospitality and luxury skincare. With a strong focus on the evolving wellness landscape, Tom works closely with brands, hotels, spas, and clinics to develop commercially sound, experience-led strategies that connect products and services seamlessly across retail, treatment, and lifestyle touchpoints. His approach supports the growth of the wellness industry by helping brands scale with clarity, authenticity, and relevance, while aligning luxury, performance, and consumer trust in an increasingly integrated market.

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Transformative Practice

Lisa Knowles

GLP-1 & THE MODERN CLIENT: What Every Practitioner Needs to Understand Now

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GLP-1 is reshaping the health landscape, and your clients are already part of it. Are you ready to better support them in your practice?

In this tpot curated focused session, you’ll gain clear, practical insight into what GLP-1 is, who’s using it, why it’s gaining traction, and where the challenges lie. Most importantly, you’ll leave with grounded, actionable ways to adapt your treatments, consultations, and experiences to better support this rapidly growing client group.

Led by Lisa Knowles, respected spa industry consultant and degree-qualified Nutritional Therapist, this is essential learning for practitioners, team leads, and experience designers ready to stay informed, relevant, and client-centered.

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Progressive Thinking

Orla Kenny

UNLOCKING HIDDEN REVENUE IN YOUR SPA: Storytelling for Profit (PANEL)

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Orla Kenny has 20 years’ experience in the spa & wellness industry covering both operations and supplier roles for several employers.

Beginning in operations as a spa therapist, Orla quickly progressed through supervisory roles into a Spa Management with different employers, and eventually into a Group Spa & Lesure Director post.

Along this journey, Orla has also spent more than 5 years in Education and Training roles with different brands and today is partnership & education manager for Irish brand Seabody.

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Transformative Practice

Christine Clinton

LYMPHATICS FOR LONGEVITY: The Missing Link in Modern Wellness.

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Transformative Practice

Joanne Berry

LYMPHATICS FOR LONGEVITY: The Missing Link in Modern Wellness.

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Joanne Berry has enjoyed over 30 years of professional international experience in the luxury and medical spa industry.

Beginning her career as a massage therapist, esthetician and aromatherapist, over the last three decades Joanne held a variety of roles covering business management and education in a number of different divisions including, cruise ships, day spas, resorts and medical spas, plus, most recently, education and training in specialised techniques for international brands.

In 2018 Joanne founded The Wellness Education Hub, based in San Diego, California, inspired by her receipt of American Spa magazine's 'Women in Wellness Award' as the Educator & Trainer of the Year, and the 'Making a Difference Award' from Circadia for her work on spa training in the oncology arena.

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Transformative Practice

Fiona Brackenbury

TRANSFORMATIONAL SKIN (PANEL HOST): Rethinking Beauty, Biology and The Future of Skin Health

Hosting the Transformational Skin Panel: Rethinking Beauty, Biology and The Future of Skin Health on the tpot Transformative Practice in Action track is the brilliant and globally renowned skincare expert - Fiona Brackenbury. Fiona will be joined by Evolve Organics Founder, Laura Rudoe; Marie Schmid (CMgr FCMI) Head of Training, Clarins; & Rachel Smith, UK & International Sales Manager for AlumierMD.

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ABOUT FIONA BRACKENBURY

With a career spanning over 30 years in the Skincare and Spa industry, Fiona Brackenbury has worked passionately to become a true expert in her field. During this time, not only has she witnessed significant changes within the industry, but she has also managed to constantly understand the needs of the Spa industry, beauty professionals, and consumers. 

A qualified therapist and skin expert. Fiona developed a thirst for knowledge early on in her career, which has equipped her with an exceptional understanding of the skin, with particular focus on how different ingredients affect the dermis and epidermis and, when combined correctly, can deliver outstanding results.
 
A natural presenter and educator, Fiona has secured broad reach and a loyal connection with customers, from television viewers to therapists to her Instagram followers. She is the “go-to” for beauty influencers and media seeking skincare advice and expert quotes.

Fiona has played a multi-faceted role in the industry across a variety of business functions. She has launched numerous products and services, working alongside sales and marketing teams to educate and facilitate successful sell-in and sell-out to global audiences, and designing treatments and educating beauty professionals.

With an encyclopedic knowledge of the skin, ingredients and products, and working with the labs and brand headquarters on global product launches and brand development across sales, marketing & education, Fiona has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.

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Transformative Practice

Laura Rudoe

TRANSFORMATIONAL SKIN (PANEL): Rethinking Beauty, Biology and The Future of Skin Health

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The skin is no longer being viewed simply through the lens of beauty and aesthetics alone. Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking transparency, integrity, efficacy and experiences that support not just how skin looks — but how people feel, function and age.

This thought-provoking panel explores the evolving future of skin health through the lenses of consumer behaviour, biological understanding, sustainability, formulation transparency and integrative technology.

Together, our speakers will explore the growing demand for conscious, evidence-informed skincare and the exciting opportunities emerging between spa, beauty, advanced aesthetics and therapeutic wellbeing.

ABOUT LAURA RUDOE
Skin, Systems & Conscious Formulation: Why What We Put On the Body Matters

As conversations around longevity, inflammation, hormonal health and nervous system regulation continue to evolve, so too does our understanding of the skin, not simply as a surface to treat, but as an intelligent biological system deeply connected to whole-person wellbeing.

In this insightful micro-session, Laura Rudoe, founder of Evolve Organic Beauty, explores the growing importance of formulation transparency, ingredient integrity and the therapeutic role skincare can play within modern spa and wellness practice.

Blending her expertise in organic beauty, sustainability, sensory treatment design and therapeutic longevity, Laura will discuss how skincare is evolving beyond trends and marketing claims towards a more conscious, evidence-informed and biologically respectful approach.

Drawing on Evolve’s pioneering work in certified organic formulation, nervous system-aware treatment experiences and therapeutic spa partnerships, this session invites delegates to rethink the relationship between skin health, emotional wellbeing, sustainability and long-term resilience.

Topics explored will include:

• The skin as an interconnected biological and sensory organ
• Why ingredient transparency and formulation integrity matter more than ever
• The relationship between skin health, stress, inflammation and the nervous system
• Consumer demand for conscious, sustainable and clinically credible skincare
• The future opportunity for spas and therapists to support wellbeing through intentional treatment and product design
• How beauty, biology and longevity science are increasingly converging within wellness spaces

Grounded in science, sustainability and holistic thinking, this session offers a powerful perspective on the future direction of transformational skin health.

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Transformative Practice

Rachel Smith

TRANSFORMATIONAL SKIN (PANEL): Rethinking Beauty, Biology and The Future of Skin Health

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Rachel Smith is an experienced skincare and wellness professional with over 20 years in the industry. Currently at AlumierMD, Rachel brings a unique perspective shaped by both business leadership and hands-on clinical experience, having previously owned and operated her own therapy practice.
 
Throughout her career, Rachel has held a range of roles spanning education, sales, and business development with leading brands including Dermalogica, Neom, and Pai Skincare. From Education Manager to Senior Sales Manager, she has worked closely with clinics, salons, spas, and retailers, helping businesses adapt to evolving consumer expectations and industry trends.

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Transformative Practice

Marie Schmid

TRANSFORMATIONAL SKIN (PANEL): Rethinking Beauty, Biology and The Future of Skin Health

With over 25 years of experience at Clarins, Marie Schmid has built an impressive career spanning beauty therapy, spa operations, commercial leadership, and training. Starting as a Beauty Specialist in 2000, she progressed through roles including National Mobile Therapist, Spa Events Team member, Treatment Trainer, and Salon Area Manager, gaining a deep understanding of both the treatment and commercial sides of the salon and spa industry.
 
Since 2014, she has served as Head of Training for Clarins UK, leading the strategy and delivery of training across both commercial and treatment disciplines. Her expertise also includes working closely with Clarins' global teams on the development and creation of innovative treatments, reflecting her passion for education, excellence, and elevating client experiences across the industry.

Transformative Practice

Hayley Snishko

BEYOND RELAXATION: Supporting Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Through Touch.

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As conversations around mental health continue to grow, so too does the need for spa, wellness and touch-led professionals to better understand the emotional realities many clients, and colleagues, may be carrying into our spaces every day.

In this thought-provoking and deeply relevant session, Hayley Snishko, founder of the Massage4MentalHealth Campaign, explores the growing relationship between therapeutic touch, nervous system regulation, emotional safety and mental wellbeing.

Drawing on both lived experience and nearly two decades within the industry, Hayley shares why the future of wellness cannot simply focus on relaxation and indulgence alone, but must also consider connection, compassion, communication and clinically informed care.

This session will invite delegates to rethink the true impact of the environments we create, the consultations we hold, the language we use and the treatments we deliver.

Together, we’ll explore:

• The relationship between touch, stress physiology and emotional wellbeing
• Why therapeutic spaces are becoming increasingly important in modern mental health support
• Recognising when clients may need greater emotional sensitivity, boundaries or referral
• Supporting therapist wellbeing and emotional resilience within teams
• How small shifts in awareness and practice can create deeper, safer and more meaningful client experiences
• Why elevating our understanding of mental health elevates the value and relevance of the entire wellness industry

Grounded in compassion, experience and practical insight, this session explores how evidence, experience and conscious practice can help shape the future of wellbeing.

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