The UK Spa Association has outlined a careers-led strategy for 2026, aiming to tackle skills shortages, improve retention and strengthen support for UK spas through education initiatives and the launch of a new industry jobs board.

Following the launch of its online Suppliers Directory in December, the association has published a new mission statement that sets the direction for its work over the coming year.


“Uniting and empowering the UK spa industry through support, education, collaboration, national advocacy and an ongoing drive for positive change within the wellness sector”


The UK Spa Association’s mission statement for 2026

Bobby Griffiths, general manager at the UK Spa Association, said the updated mission statement reflects both the organisation’s intentions and the work already underway behind the scenes.

“Our updated mission statement makes clear our agenda and commitment to the industry and we have some incredible projects and developments to reveal in 2026,” she said.

“The board is a fantastic and talented cross-section of specialists from across our industry and they’ve been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to build the foundations for what is to come. We can’t wait to share our 2026 initiatives over the coming months.”

As part of its plans for the year ahead, the UKSA has identified several key work streams. Education will be a central focus, with particular attention on promoting clearer industry pathways, including apprenticeship schemes, which the association says remain underused and poorly understood across the sector.

The UKSA also plans to highlight opportunities for continued professional development beyond formal education, with the aim of supporting career progression and improving therapist retention, which remains a significant challenge for spa operators.

Another strand of work will see the association collaborate more closely with its charity partner, Look Good Feel Better, to improve awareness and accessibility across member sites. This includes supporting people living with cancer and helping operators and suppliers engage with the charity’s free workshops, which use skin, nail and make-up education to help rebuild confidence.

In addition, the UKSA has committed to introducing further member benefits for both operators and suppliers, alongside continuing its programme of networking events and regional operator meet-ups to support community-building within the UK spa industry.

The association has also pledged to improve communication across the sector, with plans to more clearly explain its role and share progress made on behalf of UK spas.

Alongside these priorities, the UKSA has announced the creation of a dedicated industry jobs board, which will be hosted on its website and launched shortly. Members will be contacted with details on how to access and use the platform.

UKSA chair Abi Selby said, “We are excited to begin the year with the roll out of our new Industry Jobs Board, which we believe will be a huge benefit to our many members.” 

“It is integral that we actively support the continued growth and development of our industry through initiatives such as these.”