Celebrating 8th March with a spotlight on some of the people leading Spabreaks.com's vision and success, and getting an insight into what it really takes to be a female leader in business.
Founded by Abi Selby in 2008, just four months after her first son was born, Spabreaks.com has always been a company that champions women, helping them navigate their personal and professional lives, and ensuring that their contribution to the workplace is recognised and rewarded.
As a business, we also know that the spa industry as a whole is a vital employer of women, and a leader in supporting women's wellbeing. Here, some of our women in leadership talk about their experiences rising to the top of their game.
Knowing the personal challenges that women face in business and in achieving a healthy work/life balance, Abi has always been mindful of the opportunities that modern businesses have to improve options and flexibility for team members. As a result, she has worked hard not only to establish her own career, but also to create a working environment that supports and nurtures others as well.
Consequently, several former team members have gone on to set up their own businesses having been mentored by Abi, while others have progressed into senior leadership positions within the company itself. Abi continues to be passionate about opening up opportunities for women, knowing that confidence, recognition and support are central to not only seeing women compete in the workplace but also to thriving in both work and life.
Abi Selby is the founder of Spabreaks.com, which has gone from a small startup with a couple of interns to Europe’s leading spa booking agency.
With no formal business training and no stand-out academic record (she points out that she failed most maths tests she took at school), Abi has a vivid memory of her careers advisor telling her that she wouldn’t ever amount to anything. It was a galvanising moment in Abi’s education that continues to inform her drive and encouragement of other individuals in their careers today.
Now a mother of three, Abi is not only an award-winning business leader, but a mentor, and an industry champion working tirelessly to improve and promote the benefits of the spa world for anyone who wishes to access it, and to highlight the vital work that those within it do.
Abi says: "Two words have characterised my life in the last two years: 'empowerment' and 'identity', and how those two things come together. I have realised we hold a unique position as women in leadership roles, in that we are much more capable of helping people create their identities through their job and empowering them to be their best in their roles than we realise. I think we're perfectly placed to do that. That's what people are interested in talking to me about when it comes to building a brand and a successful team behind it, who believe in it, feel empowered by it, and want to be involved. For me, that's the beauty in what we've been able to achieve at Spabreaks.com."
Tamzin is Spabreaks.com’s Managing Director, having worked her way up from Head of Finance since she joined in 2020. Having earned the trust and respect of the team and the senior management team, through her empathetic and collaborative approach to leadership, when Spabreaks.com became part of the Excalibur Group in 2025, she was a natural choice for Managing Director.
Having qualified as an accountant straight out of university, she initially worked in a local business in Brighton, but quickly realised that she wanted to combine her numerical skills with organisations that were focused on making people feel good. Taking a holistic view of a company, and delighting in how its financial wellbeing works in harmony with the workplace happiness of the team, she began working in travel and hospitality.
She quickly matriculated to CFO at Spabreaks.com, and continued to grow personally and professionally into the leader she is today.
Tamzin says: "Being Managing Director at Spabreaks.com is hands down my dream job. It's a fantastic business with great role models and it is female-led, which is something I have always wanted to be a part of. My style naturally fits well with the culture of Spabreaks.com - I'm an inclusive leader, leading by example - I wouldn't ask someone to do things I wouldn't do myself. I want to boost the team and give them the limelight, and I'm not great at blowing my own trumpet.
Having loved the business, performed well and demonstrated I'm more than finance over a number of years, the team has put me in the position of MD because they trust me. That's been earned through hard graft rather than personal PR, but it's been recognised and I feel I've been nurtured. I think a lot of women work that way, but it isn't rewarded in all companies. I think Spabreaks.com is different because it had a female founder who had that experience herself."
Our Head of Brand, Lauren, is one of the hardest-working people we know. With a passion for wellbeing, health and beauty, the spa world is the perfect home for her, and she's a central figure in the Spabreaks.com family.
Before she joined us she studied graphic communications at university whilst working for a family friend's farm. True to character, during her time there she got involved with all aspects of the business, helping to take it from a small entity to a supplier of some of the largest retailers in the country. She then spent time at an independent image library, where her skills in business development and marketing combined with a glamorous introduction to imagery and branding. It was a role she credits with giving her ultimate direction in her career, seeking opportunities to both challenge herself and be part of a business she could really get excited about.
Thankfully, that journey brought Lauren to Spabreaks.com, where she has worked her way up to Head of Brand. The size of the business, the founder-led mindset and the enthusiasm that each person has for spa, wellness and our role within the world of wellbeing have all inspired her. Approaching each day with abundant enthusiasm, she cares deeply about the spa experiences that we promote as well as the experience each and every customer has on a spa break. She believes strongly that whether you want a facial and an afternoon tea, to party the night away and recover in a hydrotherapy pool, or you're seeking a week-long detox, wellness is whatever makes you feel good, and that's what we're here to make possible.
Lauren says: "I really care about the business and what we do at Spabreaks.com, and love getting under the skin of what we offer. What we say and how we say it is important to me - we want the spa world to be an accessible and enjoyable opportunity for everybody. I'm not naturally the most confident person in the world but at Spabreaks.com I never felt as though I was trying to be anything, it's a natural fit and it's a team I love being part of."
Katie-Jayne is our People Partner, taking care of the team and our wellbeing from HR to health and safety. She's also in charge of wellness initiatives like making sure we have our regular in-office massage and yoga sessions.
Katie-Jayne joined us in 2023 and instantly became part of the family. She's got a natural inclination to muck-in, becoming the go-to person whenever you need something and giving a profound sense of reassurance to all who need it. An avid amateur rugby player in her spare time, she's a fan of a good massage to soothe aching shoulders, and she's got a personal interest in holistic wellbeing and naturopathic medicine. She started her career in administration, and being the grafter that she is, worked her way up through different companies and industries, from pensions to audiovisual.
During that time she did her qualifications in HR, health, safety, environment and wellbeing management with The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and L3 CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
Having found her way to Spabreaks.com, she has grown in her role. She has been instrumental in creating a company culture that is true to the brand, and that exercises her vision for HR that not only safeguards, but empowers.
Katie-Jayne says: “Leading in HR comes with lots of positives but it can be tough as you carry the emotional load of others and I think people can underestimate that. HR has also evolved a lot over the years - now it’s not just about managing risk but caring for the team as well. I care a lot about the people I work with and I want to see them succeed within a framework that supports the business as well. Spabreaks.com believes in the same approach, so I have the opportunity to create that.
As a people partner and a leader I’ve found somewhere I feel trusted, supported, and appreciated. Like many women in their careers, that hasn’t always been the case. I’ve had ups and downs in previous companies where my opinions have been dismissed, and I’ve also felt a pressure to be worthy - although that’s also about managing my own self doubt.
Becoming a mum has been a huge shift for me as well - my anxiety skyrocketed and imposter syndrome crept in. I felt that when I came back I needed to prove I was still capable, but as soon as I came back I felt immediately and genuinely supported, which really helped with the anxiety. Motherhood has also helped me evolve as a leader in HR because it’s made me feel more grounded. I understand my own boundaries and I also think I lead with greater empathy and calmness as well. As a parent I want to be that role model for my little boy - to show him that women can lead and be successful on their own terms. Spabreaks.com has given me an environment in which I feel supported in that goal.”
Kimberley is Spabreaks.com's Lead Product Manager, managing a team of five Product Managers. Her role sits at the intersection of supplier needs, commercial goals, and team leadership.
She works closely with stakeholders across the business to define product strategy, prioritise initiatives, and ensure we’re showcasing spas and hotels that genuinely add value for both our customers and our partners. A big part of her job is also developing her team — supporting their growth, encouraging ownership, and creating an environment where they feel confident to challenge ideas and make decisions.
Kimberley says: "Being a woman in a leadership role within product comes with both unique challenges and opportunities. Product management often requires confidence, influence, and the ability to navigate ambiguity; qualities that women are sometimes discouraged from fully owning early in their careers. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t have to look or sound one particular way. At Spabreaks.com, I’m proud to work in an environment that values collaboration, empathy, and outcomes over ego, which allows different leadership styles to thrive. Leading as a woman has given me a strong appreciation for inclusive decision-making and the importance of ensuring all voices are heard.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered is learning to trust my own expertise and take up space in leadership conversations; something many women experience. However, those challenges have also shaped my leadership style, making me more intentional about mentoring others and creating psychological safety within my team. I’m passionate about supporting women as they progress in their careers and encouraging them to pursue leadership roles without feeling they need to fit a predefined mould. International Women’s Day is a great reminder that representation matters — not just at entry level, but at decision-making tables — and that diverse leadership leads to stronger teams, better products, and better outcomes for everyone."
Natalie joined Spabreaks.com in 2020 as Commercial Manager, and has since moved through the ranks to become Head of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships. Always full of energy and bringing abundant enthusiasm to the team, she is a powerhouse dedicated to the growth and success of the business. Deeply empathetic and engaged with the team and their individual as well as collective success, she has navigated her role alongside motherhood, and a move to Devon, which has both challenged her, and provided new opportunities both at home and at work.
Natalie says: "Being a mum, and holding a senior position at work, sometimes feels like being stuck in the mud in one of those dreams. Other weeks, however, you might ask me and I will say that it is easy and I am proud to be able to manage both.
Either way, I don't know how I would do it if I didn't have the support of some key people in my life, mostly my partner Al. When he is away, it is too much for me, shifting focus from an intense day to focusing on my daughter. I rush things, my mind is elsewhere thinking about something I need to do at work and I might not have the patience I should. Then, of course the age old mum guilt comes through.
However, in reality, if you asked anyone else (especially my daughter), I would hope that they would say I do both well, it's the age old inner voice of the mother saying I am not good enough or I could do better that tends to win. It's important to say that what I am most grateful for, other than having the most incredibly imaginative and head strong little girl, is working for a company that supports and truly understands the challenge. It's actually what drew me here after reading about the founder, Abi.
Other than the freedom to be able to afford giving my daughter such wonderful experiences, I have never felt that I lost myself in motherhood and, ironically, I think work makes me a better mother. My daughter mimics me sometimes at my desk on my keyboard, or in meetings... is this a good thing? Well, balanced with love, I think it is."
Sian joined Spabreaks.com in 2024 as our Product Integrations Manager, having come from an extensive career at Virgin Atlantic. She's worked across product and commercial roles and since joining Spabreaks.com, now leads our connectivity strategy, supporting the onboarding of our spa partners and defining our roadmap, while driving continuous process and functionality improvements and innovation, all with the support of our brilliant team.
Sian says: "Being a woman in a leadership position has, at times, meant overcoming moments of self-doubt and learning to trust my own voice and instincts when making decisions or voicing opinions that shape business direction. Over time, I’ve developed the confidence not only to speak up and share my expertise where needed, but to feel comfortable taking up space — to be seen, to be heard, and to know that my voice and opinion matters. Spabreaks.com has played a key role in that journey by providing a supportive environment that encourages different perspectives and creates space for voices to be heard, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally into the leader I am today."
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