Sarah Tester

Treasurer

Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in the spa and hotel industry. She joined Lifehouse Spa and Hotel in Essex as part of the pre-opening team in 2010, beginning her journey as a night receptionist. Her dedication and versatility saw her rise through a variety of operational roles before transitioning into finance, ultimately becoming Finance Director. In 2019, she expanded her remit to include operations and now serves as Finance and Operations Director. In this role, Sarah oversees every facet of the resort and its business, leading a team of over 200. Her combined expertise in both operations and finance gives her a comprehensive, 360-degree perspective on managing the spa—along with a perpetually full To-Do list.

Since joining Lifehouse, Sarah has felt fortunate to receive numerous opportunities for growth. She strongly believes in giving back by fostering success in others—empowering and developing her team through dedicated mentorship. She is passionate about promoting equality and diversity in the workplace and is deeply committed to raising awareness and support for mental health. Her goal is to help make the spa industry a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone.

Sarah’s journey into wellness began in 1999 through the study of Kung Fu, embracing both internal and external disciplines. She went on to qualify as an instructor in both styles, deepening her practice with meditation, qi gong and acupressure. Her dedication led to national recognition, earning British titles in Tui Shou—a form of Tai Chi combat—and securing two silver medals at the European Tai Chi Championships. While she no longer actively trains, the principles and practices she learned continue to shape her outlook and remain a lasting influence in her life.

After more than two years of serving as a valued UKSA Board Member, the UKSA is now delighted to announce Sarah has now taken on the role of Treasurer from November 2025.