UK Spa Association chair, Charlie Thompson, has been appointed interim group spa manager for Q Hotels.

In his role, Thompson will be focusing on therapist retention and customer satisfaction.

“As part of future plans for Q Hotels and the growth of their spa business, I will work on a project basis so the business has more concrete foundations for expansion,” he said – speaking to Spa Opportunities.

As the former head of health and beauty for Virgin Active UK health clubs, Thompson directly operated 60 spas, 24 outsourced salons and oversaw increased staff retention from 55 per cent to more than 80 per cent.

“Spa-bedroom sales – overnight bedroom hotel packages with spa treatments included – have grown especially in the last 12 months and the challenges presented now are very different to 12 months ago, when business performance wasn’t as strong,” he continued. “Yield is the main problem for hotels, as well as it is for high street operations. Spas need to generate sufficient profit per treatment to cover a combination of rising operation costs, such the rising National Minimum wage (£6.50 from 1 October 2014) and staff turnover.”

His experience in this combined role of public relations manager, recruiter and trainer of spa managers, plus his extensive knowledge of operational strategy for spas, makes him an industry specialist, while practical understanding of both client-based stratagem and supply chain logistics have made him an asset for Q Hotels.

Thompson has also been employed at spa cosmetics suppliers ESPA International, French skincare brand Anne Semonin, plus he recently finished a five-month position as operations director at Aromatherapy Associates.

At the 2014 Professional Spa & Wellness Convention, Thompson participated in a panel discussion, advising spa operators on how to improve staff performance and durability by providing aspirational management to employees.