Sandie Johannessen has been appointed the new group director of spa and wellness at Minor Hotels – international hotel owner, operator and investor.

A seasoned spa industry figure, Johannessen now oversees the Asia branch of Minor’s spa management arm called MSpa International.

Operating over 70 spas worldwide, MSpa launched in Thailand in 1999 and has since expanded to include the Anantara Spa, Balance Wellness by Anantara, AvaniSpa, VIVID and VLCC brands.

Johannessen says her new position involves setting MSpa’s regional business strategy in Asia in conjunction with senior management and leading the implementation of that strategy.

“This includes being accountable for the overall performance of spas within the region and overseeing all activities associated with the pre-opening processes of new spas and medical facilities,” she said.

Johannessen is now responsible for more than 45 projects across Asia and will sometimes be tapped to support other regions and Minor brands.

Her role also entails directing the development and expansion of MSpa Medical’s partnerships.

This involves sourcing new business partners for medical projects, negotiating new business agreements within the sector and managing existing partnerships with medical providers including Clinique La Prairie, Verita Health, VLCC, BDMS and Cocoon (Maldives).

A strong track-record

Johannessen brings more than two decades of international industry expertise to her role, including experience in wellness markets in the US, the UK, Scandinavia, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, India and the Seychelles.

Prior to her recent appointment, Johannessen served for more than two and a half years as the director of health and wellness at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar.

Before this, she spent seven years at Four Seasons which culminated in her final role as senior spa director of Asia Pacific. Johannessen also previously held spa director roles at Aman and Shangri-La.

About MinorWith more than 530 hotels in operation across 56 countries, Minor drives its growth through a portfolio of eight in-house hotel brands as well as a collection of related hospitality businesses and strategic partnerships with other hotel brands.

Its in-house brands include Anantara, Avani, Elewana, NH, Oaks, NH Collection, nhow and Tivoli.

It also works with global hospitality brands including M Collection, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International properties.