Fairmont Hotels & Resorts appoints Emma Darby as Global Vice President, Spa and Wellness

Emma Darby is taking on the newly-created role of Global Vice President for Spa and Wellness within Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Based in Dubai, she will assume overall responsibility for spa and wellness operations across Fairmont’s global portfolio of 93 properties.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has over 30,000 employees worldwide, who provide exceptional service and uphold a culture of excellence. Emma will create and set processes and systems to deliver a highly consistent, innovative guest experience integrating relaxation, rejuvenation, health, and harmony. Working with Sales, Marketing and PR at a group level, and interacting confidently and respectfully with owners, Emma will identify ways to drive revenue and increase income levels.

Society was engaged by Fairmont to find a confident and inspiring leader who can create an inclusive culture, and who is willing to take a hands-on approach with spa leadership across the group. We conducted a global search for candidates who possessed considerable and comprehensive professional experience in luxury hotel spa and wellness management. They needed to be an articulate and persuasive communicator, highly creative, energetic and passionate, with high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Emma has two decades of senior leadership in the luxury spa and wellness industry, recognised for her deep industry knowledge and approach to wellness, and a proven track record of driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and unparalleled guest experiences with both Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group, and more latterly overseeing operations at Resense Spa S.A. in Geneva, who are engaged by various hospitality brands to create and manage over 90 luxury spa and wellness facilities globally.