Latest news with #GurnerGroup
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Saint Haven stands down staffer after ‘extremely inappropriate' message
A staffer at an exclusive spa in Melbourne has been stood down after management became aware of an 'extremely inappropriate internal team message'. Saint Haven, a private members wellness club, made the announcement to clients on June 13 as it continues to face criticism from millionaire entrepreneur Christopher Shao. Mr Shao this month publicly accused staff of singling out his mother for carrying her phone in a club bathhouse, and has since doubled down on claims of racism. Saint Haven has said its staff were 'committed to gently upholding' its policy of a ban on taking phone calls or using laptops in public spaces. In a joint statement to members on June 13, Gurner Group executives Ahmed Fahour and Peter Crinis referenced Mr Shao's complaints saying 'this matter involved the application of our strict no-phone policy — a rule in place to protect the privacy and comfort of all members'. 'Based on our initial review, no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.' Their missive continued to state that 'in the past 24 hours, we have become aware of an extremely inappropriate internal team message sent by a team member'. The message sent earlier in the year was 'unrelated' to Mr Shao's complaint, the letter said, and 'does not reflect our values or the expectations we uphold'. 'This behaviour is not acceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The team member has been stood down pending a full investigation.' The executives said Saint Haven and its sister club Saint 'have zero tolerance for racism, or any conduct that undermines the dignity, safety or wellbeing of others'. 'We hold both team members and members to the same high standards, and we take all matters of this nature extremely seriously,' they said. Saint Haven's media representatives declined to make further comment when contacted by Mr Shao had posted a series of images to his Instagram stories on Thursday night, with one purporting to show texts in a staff group chat. That text exchange appeared to show one staff member making insulting comments about Indian members. He also shared images of staff LinkedIn profiles and the costs of Saint Haven memberships – revealing the 'ultimate' package set back members $499 per week. Mr Shao spoke with the Herald Sun last week claiming he had been contacted by ex-staff since making his public complaints. 'Since speaking out a significant number of former Saint Haven staff have contacted me to share their own experiences of the club's toxic internal culture, it's clearly not an isolated issue,' he said. 'They don't necessarily have money to back it up and, you know, these people have lawyers and legal teams. They are too scared to speak up.' Saint Haven is owned by the Gurner Group, headed by Melbourne property mogul and almost-billionaire Tim Gurner. The clubs boast a range of wellness and anti-ageing offerings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV drips, and more common health facilities like gym, meditation, yoga and sauna. Mr Gurner recently announced a Sydney expansion, with a new spa set to crop up in Bondi next year, saying it would be 'an unparalleled sanctuary for those who demand more from life'.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie millionaire's swipe at exclusive members club Saint Haven
A Melbourne millionaire has hit out at one of the country's most exclusive wellness clinics, claiming staff had unfairly targeted his mother. Christopher Shao took to social media this week to claim his mum was told off for holding her phone at private members club Saint Haven. Saint Haven – which has venues in Collingwood, Toorak and South Yarra – is an up-market spa that bills itself as 'a place to disconnect, recharge, surrender and share experiences with others'. Mr Shao, who keeps a relatively low profile, called out the club by sharing correspondence with staff to his thousands of followers on Monday. 'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote to spa management in an email published to his Instagram stories. 'A staff (member) is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, 'I will let you off this time and don't do it again,' in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.' Staff responded in an email, saying it was 'common practice' for workers to remind members about phone use 'to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all'. 'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.' detailing luxury property purchases or his expensive taste in cars. Saint Haven is owned by the Gurner Group, headed by Melbourne property mogul and almost-billionaire Tim Gurner. The clubs boast a range of wellness and anti-ageing offerings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV drips, and more common health facilities like gym, meditation, yoga and sauna. In a statement, Gurner Wellness Group chief executive of Wellness, Hotels and Hospitality Peter Crinis said Saint Haven members were asked to 'refrain from taking phone calls or using laptops in our wellness spaces'. 'These spaces are intentionally designed to be sanctuaries, offering a rare opportunity to truly disconnect, unwind, and surrender from the outside world,' he said. 'We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why we've created dedicated areas throughout the club for device use, including our co-working spaces, Members' Lounge, boardroom, and private phone booths. These spaces are purpose-built for focused work and uninterrupted calls. 'Our team is committed to gently upholding this policy to ensure that all members can enjoy the calm, restorative atmosphere that makes Saint Haven so unique and ensuring our members' privacy is always our first priority.' Mr Gurner recently announced a Sydney expansion, with a new spa set to crop up in Bondi next year, saying it would be 'an unparalleled sanctuary for those who demand more from life'. 'Since launching our first Saint Haven in 2023, we've had thousands of Sydney-based individuals join the waitlist, eager to experience something that doesn't yet exist in their city,' he told The Australian last week. 'Bondi is a global icon of health and wellness – and Saint Haven will take that to another level. This will be unlike anything Sydney has ever seen.' Mr Gurner recently told the Australian Financial Review he also planned to open an arm in the Gold Coast before going international. 'We'll be in the US by the end of the year and the UAE, so Dubai,' he said. Saint Haven is believed to have a waiting list of 15,000 people.
