LONDON — Susan Harmsworth, the founder of British beauty and wellness brand Espa, is leaving following the brand’s sale to The Hut Group last September.
“After 25 years of working with ESPA International, which I founded in 1993, the time is now right for me to step away from the brand I love. This move will enable me to concentrate on my passions for spa, integrative medicine, health and well-being, and to develop new partnerships and projects,” Harmsworth said Thursday.
Harmsworth said she would remain connected to the world of beauty and well-being through her many global projects, such as the Global Wellness Summit & Institute, Wellness for Cancer, Forbes and Bench Global Events Hotel Investment. “I will also continue to chair and be involved in various projects and new ventures to come,” she said.
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Espa was sold by private equity firm KSL Capital Partners LLC to The Hut Group last September. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Hut Group sells beauty products from MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, Nars Cosmetics and Lancôme through Lookfantastic.com, and owns Mio Skin Care, Mama Mio and Grow Gorgeous. It bought Glossybox last year, shortly before sealing the deal with Espa.
Espa’s skin-care line is hinged on “Tri-Active” blends — combinations of plant actives, marine actives and essential oils that aim to create effective, natural treatments. The business develops and manufactures its products at its U.K. facility. Its products and spa treatments are used in more than 700 spas in 50 countries.
Paul Gedman, chief executive officer of The Hut Group Beauty Brands, said The Hut Group remains “a pioneer in spa, wellness and beauty with a highly promising future poised for its next phase of evolution and growth under THG’s guidance. At THG we are committed to delivering best-in-class products and spa experiences that Espa is known and loved for, and crucially, developing the brand into a true global leader.”