The UK Spa Association (UKSA) has announced the appointment of Yvonne Ebdon as its new general manager (GM).

She will lead the trade-body alongside UKSA chair Adam Chatterley and will succeed Helena Grzesk who served as GM for over two years and guided the organisation through the turmoil of the pandemic while engaging in a lengthy lobbying battle with the government to reopen the industry.

Ebdon is a long-standing UKSA board member, having served for nearly five years, and is also its current Work for Wellness pillar lead.

She is also an experienced spa director who branches into academia and lectures in spa and hospitality management.

“I’m absolutely honoured and delighted to be taking the role of GM,” she said, “and I’m incredibly passionate about the work that we do at the UKSA.

“I look forward to supporting you all in your businesses and continuing to raise the profile of the spa sector.”

Ebdon also took the opportunity to celebrate Grzesk’s unwavering commitment to the sector in the face of the pandemic.

“I would personally like to thank Helena for all of her hard work, she has been a true leader and inspiration to myself and many within the industry and I’m honoured to be stepping into her shoes.”

Grzesk has taken up a new role as chief operating officer at the British Beauty Council, working alongside CEO, Millie Kendall – another industry figure who was instrumental in lobbying for the reopening of the spa and beauty sector.

"My time at the UKSA has been nothing short of incredible,” Grzesk said, “and I’m so proud of what's been achieved by the organisation over the past few years.

“The decision to move on was not an easy one but I'm excited to begin a new chapter with the British Beauty Council, and honoured to continue to be an advocate for the wider beauty industry."