Kent Richards has announced a new business venture called Wellness World Global after more than 11 years at Six Senses, most recently as global corporate director of spa and wellness operation.

He has spent 20 years working in fitness and more than 20 in spa and wellness, in senior operations roles.

Richards told Spa Business exclusively, “My time with Six Senses gave me the opportunity to work with some of the best experts in the business, while being responsible for performance at both in-house and partner spa and wellness facilities around the world."

His new team at Wellness World Global will provide services internationally to facilities in the wellness industry.

These services include pre-opening and daily operations leadership for spas, health clubs, residential developments, social clubs and hotels.

“We bring together a wealth of experience, having worked with pioneering global brand leaders and operated facilities in almost thirty countries,” Richards continued. “We look forward to creating our own brands, but we’ll also work for clients within existing brands that understand the need for both options.”

Richards says he’s already received interest from potential partners in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Having been born in Kitwe, Zambia, and raised across South Africa, Richards will also continue to be a member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative (AWI). In addition to promoting African wellness by strengthening wellness institutions and offering training, the AWI builds databases of operators, practitioners and indigenous skills for the benefit of the region and its wellness industry.

Richards' former colleague Neil Jacobs also recently stepped down from his position as CEO of Six Senses and announced the launch of a new company, Wild Origins.