In conversation with: Emma Loane, Corporate and Hospitality Business Manager, ARRAN

Following a career in the hospitality industry, getting to know hotel businesses from the frontline-up, Emma Loane made the leap to the cosmetics industry – with a view to providing and developing products to enhance the experience for the hotel guest from a different angle.

Can you tell us about your background and your role at ARRAN?

My role primarily involves business development and account management, where I focus on fostering growth and maintaining strong relationships with clients.

I’ve been with ARRAN for six years, following a long-standing career in the hospitality industry. My journey began in the village pub, where I spent school holidays waitressing and pot washing. After college, I was offered a receptionist role at a local hotel and gradually progressed through various departments, eventually earning my first Head of Department position as Front Office Manager at The Hoste Arms in Norfolk – this is where I first discovered ARRAN as their products were stocked in the bedrooms.

In 2008, I relocated to Edinburgh to become the Reception and Revenue Manager for the Montpelier’s group, before moving into Sales and Events roles with Malmaison and Hotel du Vin (MALHDV). In 2019, a relocation for my husband’s work brought us south, and the opportunity to join ARRAN came at just the right time. Transitioning from promoting and selling hotels to partnering with them through ARRAN felt like a natural and exciting progression.

What does a typical day at ARRAN look like for you?

My role at ARRAN was a new position for the business, giving me the unique opportunity to shape it from the ground up. I work with a wide range of clients – from business owners and operations managers to housekeeping teams, directors, procurement professionals, and facilities management companies. Our account base is incredibly diverse, spanning bed and breakfasts, healthcare facilities, gyms, brand marketing agencies, corporate clients, and hotels of all sizes.

The variety in my role is what I enjoy most – I’m not someone who likes to sit still for long, and I thrive on the dynamic nature of working across different sectors and meeting new people.

We are a small but agile sales team of six, covering wholesale, retail, and hospitality. Our Customer Services team plays a vital role in supporting us – they handle enquiries, process incoming orders, liaise with our development and operational teams, and ensure we have the capacity to step away from our desks and focus on building relationships through meetings and events.

What is the ARRAN story and what makes the business so unique in the luxury toiletries industry?

Founded in 1989 by skincare enthusiast Janet Russell, ARRAN Sense of Scotland began as Arran Aromatics, inspired by the natural beauty and evocative scents of the Isle of Arran. Together with her husband Ian, Janet set out to create beautifully fragranced bath and body products using the island’s soft, mineral-rich water. For over 35 years, we’ve brought a little piece of Arran to homes and businesses around the world.

In 2016, we evolved into ARRAN Sense of Scotland, marking a new chapter while staying true to our roots. Every product is still made on the island, using local water and crafted by the hands of the community.

In 2025, after a period of ownership under private equity firm Endless LLP, the business returned to private ownership being acquired by Arran’s CEO, Kevin Meechan, along with founding family members, Andrew and Duncan Russell. This acquisition followed two of the business’s most successful growth years in its 35-year history.

At ARRAN Sense of Scotland, innovation always comes with purpose. Our in-house team of experts leads the charge in research and development, with sustainability carefully considered at every step. We’re proud to be pioneers in plastic responsibility, as a gold-accredited partner of TAP (Think About Plastic), actively tackling plastic waste right at its source. Through our partnership with the Arran Trust, we help preserve the natural beauty of our island home, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Every ARRAN product is made using 100% Prevented Ocean Plastic (POP), helping to clean up our global waterways. Our commitment to the planet doesn’t stop there – our online distribution centre is fully carbon neutral, our secondary packaging is completely recyclable, and our manufacturing facilities are powered entirely by renewable energy. We’ve also taken bold steps in promoting circular economy practices, becoming the first personal care brand to support Reposit, a return-and-reuse initiative designed to reduce single-use packaging. Thanks to all these efforts, a recent ESG audit by EcoVadis ranked us in the top 11% of over 10,000 personal care companies worldwide – a recognition we’re truly proud of.

Do you think luxury bathroom toiletries can elevate the guest experience of a hotel stay?

Luxury bathroom toiletries can meaningfully enhance the overall guest experience during a hotel stay. They convey a sense of quality and care, helping to create a memorable first impression and reinforcing a hotel’s commitment to comfort and detail. Thoughtfully selected products – whether beautifully fragranced, sustainably packaged, or from a recognisable brand – elevate the bathroom from a functional space to a place of relaxation and indulgence.

These sensory touches not only add to the perceived value of the stay but also help differentiate the hotel in a competitive market. A distinctive fragrance or luxurious texture can leave a lasting impression, creating an emotional connection that guests associate with their experience. In today’s hospitality landscape, where personalisation and conscious luxury matter more than ever, premium toiletries are a small detail that can make a big impact.

How would you describe ARRAN products and scents?

Our unique bath, body, and home fragrance collections are formulated with the island’s mineral-rich water, creating an unforgettable experience with every use. Each product is carefully crafted by our local workforce, ensuring you feel the essence of island life with every scent.

Inspired by the unspoiled landscapes of Arran, our fragrances transport you to the island’s peaceful surroundings. Whether it’s a refreshing bath, a soothing body lotion, or a calming home fragrance, each product is designed to evoke the natural beauty of our island home. The result is a truly distinctive experience, with scents that stay with you long after use.

Can you tell us about any recent hotel projects ARRAN has worked with, and how the partnership came about?

One of the key advantages of designing and manufacturing our own products is the flexibility it gives us. We can create bespoke solutions tailored to a venue’s unique requirements – whether that means custom-branded packaging, a specific aesthetic, or even a completely new fragrance.

Most recently, we had the opportunity to design a signature scent in collaboration with Virgin Hotels.

A senior VP at Virgin Hotels who has been part of Richard Branson’s ventures for over two decades, previously worked at Malmaison, where ARRAN is the amenities partner. This helped lay the groundwork for a new partnership, the longstanding relationship and brand familiarity made ARRAN a natural choice as Virgin launched in Europe.

For their European properties, they were looking for a local partner known for quality, consistency, and innovation. They came to us with a clear brief: to create a warm, floral fragrance that captured the distinct personality of their hotels.

At the time, our fragrance portfolio didn’t include a scent in this particular style. So, we worked closely with Virgin Hotels’ Design Guru to develop something completely new – Kildonan: Orris and Violet Leaf.

Now featured in both the Edinburgh and London properties (with more locations on the way), this bespoke collection includes shampoo, conditioner, hand wash, body wash, hand & body lotion, and a 25g bar soap.

The entire process – from concept to final product – took nine months, resulting in a fully tailored design and fragrance that aligns perfectly with Virgin Hotels’ vision.

Is ARRAN a sustainable brand? If so, how?

Yes, we are deeply committed to sustainability, and this is demonstrated in nearly every part of the business. We’ve replaced all 300ml bottles with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, helping prevent over 1,000 tonnes of plastic from entering the ocean each month. Our gift boxes and cardboard packaging are fully recyclable and made from responsibly sourced or recycled materials, and we have even introduced aluminium packaging into our Naturals range for an eco-friendly alternative. On top of that, our online warehouse is fully carbon neutral, and we’ve eliminated plastic from all web order packaging. We also partner with The Arran Trust to support conservation projects on the island and actively contribute to Arran’s Plastic Free Community status. Protecting the environment isn’t just a side note for us – it’s woven into our identity.

What hopes do you have for the future of ARRAN?

I see significant potential in expanding our presence within the hospitality industry, particularly given our focus on luxury, sustainability, and high-quality ingredients. Our goal is to strengthen partnerships with boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and eventually extend into spas, both across the UK and internationally. Looking ahead, our objectives are rooted in a holistic approach to sustainability, driving innovation in our products, fostering community engagement, and collaborating across industries to create a more environmentally responsible future.

ARRAN is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main Image credit: ARRAN