CG Funk played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy
CG Funk – the former vice president of product development for US-based franchise Massage Envy – has joined the board of The Massage Company – a UK-based franchise venture. She’ll help drive the company’s growth in the UK by consulting with the company on training and franchise systems.
Launched in 2016 by Charlie Thompson – the current UK Spa Association chair, who has also worked for QHotels and Virgin Active – and Elliot Walker, former managing director of Murad, The Massage Company offers a simple selection of four massage treatments: deep tissue, sports, Swedish and maternity.
Funk is a 25-year spa industry veteran and played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy, working with a team that grew the brand from 30 franchised locations to more than 1,100.
“I knew I could bring valuable insights and expertise to support The Massage Company’s growth and sustainability,” says Funk. “The Massage Company is the first franchise massage model to market in the UK, which gives them a unique and positive opportunity to grow faster than average with the lack of competitors. The UK market is currently an open playing field for The Massage Company model, which is a huge opportunity for quick expansion.”
Funk says she appreciates The Massage Company’s focus on training and education, its “tightened-down” sales process, and Thompson and Walker’s hands-on approach.
Thompson says he knew when he first met her that Funk was someone he wanted to work with. “Directing multi-site spa operations is my background, but we have a huge learning curve in both membership-based subscription services and franchising,” says Thompson. “We know CG brings solid credibility as we bring both new franchisees and properties into discussions.”
Funk says Massage Envy grew so substantially because the team spent time teaching consumers and franchisees the benefits of regular massage.
“We did this through an affordable membership programme and great marketing,” says Funk. “At the end of the day, it’s truly about helping the average consumer understand why these services are so important to their overall wellness, and helping franchisees understand the solid business opportunities the brand gives.”
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Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
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CG Funk played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy
CG Funk – the former vice president of product development for US-based franchise Massage Envy – has joined the board of The Massage Company – a UK-based franchise venture. She’ll help drive the company’s growth in the UK by consulting with the company on training and franchise systems.
Launched in 2016 by Charlie Thompson – the current UK Spa Association chair, who has also worked for QHotels and Virgin Active – and Elliot Walker, former managing director of Murad, The Massage Company offers a simple selection of four massage treatments: deep tissue, sports, Swedish and maternity.
Funk is a 25-year spa industry veteran and played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy, working with a team that grew the brand from 30 franchised locations to more than 1,100.
“I knew I could bring valuable insights and expertise to support The Massage Company’s growth and sustainability,” says Funk. “The Massage Company is the first franchise massage model to market in the UK, which gives them a unique and positive opportunity to grow faster than average with the lack of competitors. The UK market is currently an open playing field for The Massage Company model, which is a huge opportunity for quick expansion.”
Funk says she appreciates The Massage Company’s focus on training and education, its “tightened-down” sales process, and Thompson and Walker’s hands-on approach.
Thompson says he knew when he first met her that Funk was someone he wanted to work with. “Directing multi-site spa operations is my background, but we have a huge learning curve in both membership-based subscription services and franchising,” says Thompson. “We know CG brings solid credibility as we bring both new franchisees and properties into discussions.”
Funk says Massage Envy grew so substantially because the team spent time teaching consumers and franchisees the benefits of regular massage.
“We did this through an affordable membership programme and great marketing,” says Funk. “At the end of the day, it’s truly about helping the average consumer understand why these services are so important to their overall wellness, and helping franchisees understand the solid business opportunities the brand gives.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
Katherine Connolly, newly appointed global
director of retail and spa operations at Anne
Semonin, discusses her plans for the brand
Promotional feature: Thalion
Thalion is the first company to develop highly
specialised mineral therapies for clients, says
training manager Sophie Alemany
Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Bellezi Founded in 2009 as a Dutch family business, Bellezi brings more than 20 years of experience in treat [more...]
