How long have you been in the industry, and where did you start out?

I’ve been in the leisure world for over 40 years now – in one form or another! It’s fair to say I’ve seen a lot of changes along the way.

How many projects do you think you’ve worked on in the UK over the years?

After more than 40 years I honestly couldn’t even hazard a guess, we work on private as well as commercial projects, let’s just say a lot!

Tell us about some of your more memorable or notable projects.

I’ve had the privilege of working on a number of fantastic projects but a few really stand out. One was a full 18-month refit at Centre Parcs Longleat where we installed ten different thermal experiences, feature showers, heated loungers, foot spas, the works. We even created “the Cavern,” complete with rock-formation walls, a waterfall, heated double loungers and fine mist sprays.

I also redesigned the poolside thermal experience at Gleneagles, which was a fantastic project, and more recently I designed and built one of the biggest outdoor saunas in the country, overlooking the Clyde at Gleddoch Hotel and Spa.

What’s the most unusual request or feature you have created or been asked to install?

Oh, definitely the Cavern at Longleat. Nothing else quite like it!

We created a cavern with simulated rock wall ceiling and even a skylight to see outside through the ceiling, a waterfall down one wall and six double heated loungers with rain forest mist heads above each seat. It also had specialised mood lighting. The remit was to create something extraordinary yet realistic and I must say it looked incredible.

Do you have a favourite project?

Centre Parcs Longleat again – every single thermal cabin had its own theme, so each one felt completely different. It was a dream to get creative with.

The approach to the thermal areas was different to the normal areas you see, the different areas were zoned, which I like, as it gives a different dimension to thermal bathing ,along with experience showers, and each zone was themed, there was a Herbal zone with both wet and dry thermal cabins, Salt inhalation with wet and dry thermal cabins and experience showers, Volcanic area with wet and dry thermal cabins and experience showers, the Forest glade which features an almost oval steam room which we put in 21 faceted glass panels with a 360° panoramic view of the inside of a forest and 10 look alike log end stools with a glass top with the picture of a log end printed on the top, each seat had a rain shower head above  that came on at specific intervals during the user stay in the room. We also created an Ice igloo with icicles hanging from the ceiling. It was fantastic to be in a position to create so many unique experiences.

After 40+ years it’s fair to say you know a thing or two about what makes a good sauna or steam room, what are the most important considerations?

For saunas, it’s all about the right temperature and humidity, paired with the perfect aroma. The interiors and glazing matter too, they should feel warm and inviting, not dark boxes you want to escape from.

With steam rooms, you’re looking for consistent heat and humidity, plus proper ventilation so the steam keeps flowing nicely. Add aroma, maybe even a bit of salt for inhalation, thoughtful lighting, and you’ve got a space people genuinely want to linger in.

How did you first become involved with the spa project at Gisborough Hall?

It was some time ago now, back in June 2023. I was contacted by one of the owners to see if I would be interested I helping develop a new spa at the hotel. We met onsite to get a feel for the property, the location and how it sat in the landscape, we discussed their ideas and ambitions to develop a spa. The ideal location was identified enabling use of part of the existing building with garden access and stunning views towards the moors, and woodland. I set about space planning these areas with reception with a retail area, changing rooms Spa café, treatment rooms on the first floor with relaxation and utilising the garden space I proposed the outdoor thermal cabins as a concept with paths running through the gardens to create a spa journey.

These suggestions were liked and over time they evolved and when the time was right for the property to fully develop the plans, the current design and project team came on board with the specialist skills to evolve those initial plans which were the starting point for what is being built today.

What do you enjoy most about your role in a project?

I enjoy having the chance to look at the blank canvas, putting forward ideas from my many years of seeing spa’s develop, and then creating something that fits with each properties unique features and location, bringing in all the views and surroundings to create something unique, We have the ability to create different spa thermal experiences, which can be adjusted in look and feel to each individual Spa project, not to just add a basic Sauna or Steam Room. I embrace the opportunity to be creative and deliver functional but interesting thermal cabins to my clients and I always look forward to working alongside the Spa design teams Spa Consultants, interior designers, land scape architects, and project architects to make sure all suggested materials are suitable for the purpose when used in a Spa environment and the we as Thermal Spa manufacturers can still  guarantee our cabins going forward, to make sure the client has a Spa development that is functional going forward after handover.