Future spa: Heidi Grimwood on upskilling the workforce

With ongoing wars alongside the threat of recession, many people are living in the future, not in the present. We need to educate guests about how to mindfully live more in the moment. People are keen to try more holistic extensions of their spa experience – sound healing, energy healing, water therapy, yoga and meditation – so it’s our job to offer more of this.

For me education is a priority in spa and wellness. Guests want to know how they can look after themselves at home, so we need to empower them and help them understand how to better manage their mental and physical health.

We also need to seriously upgrade and upskill our therapists. Not everyone wants to become a manager or go to corporate offices – we need healers! So, we must provide stronger career paths for our therapists, or we risk losing some amazing talent.

Heidi Grimwood

The vice-president of ELE|NA was named Global Spa Leader of the Year 2022 at the World Spa and Wellness Awards