About HABIA
HABIA (The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority) is the government-recognised Standard Setting Organisation (SSO) for the hair and beauty sector.
For more than 30 years, we have been developing National Occupational Standards (NOS), which form the basis of many qualifications across the UK.
We work with employers, colleges, training providers, Awarding Organisations and other key stakeholders to ensure education and training reflect real industry needs and professional standards.
A not-for-profit organisation
We are a not-for-profit organisation and part of a wider charity, Skills Active.
Everything we do is focused on supporting the sector - from developing standards and promoting high-quality education, to helping raise professional standards and support future careers.
Our focus
Our focus is on:
We are committed to championing high standards and supporting those working across the hair and beauty industry.
Standards
Education
Excellence
Careers
Our Team
Joan Scott
CEO
Nick Clarke
Finance Manager
Amanda Bedwell
Standards & Qualifications Project Manager (Hair, Beauty, Aesthetics & Wellbeing)
Beccy Poole
Standards & Qualifications Project Manager (Sport, Fitness and Wellness)
Gill Davies
Standards & Qualifications Project Manager (Hairdressing and Barbering)
Louise Matthews
Administrative Assistant
Lorraine Nordmann
Consultant Endorsement Assessor
Sue Postlethwaite
Consultant Endorsement Assessor
Our Board
Joan Scott
CEO and Chair of HABIA, award-winning educationalist and beauty expert specialising in standards and qualifications.
Jenna Wrathall MBE
High Performance Skills Coach on the Centre of Excellence and Lead Judge for WorldSkills UK National Competitions.
Steffania Rossi
Multi-award-winning salon owner, recruiter, adviser and international speaker specialising in careers, training and recruitment.
Diane Hey
Founder, tutor, assessor and IQA with 35 years’ experience in beauty, aesthetics, education and standards
Sue Postlethwaite
Hair salon owner and educator with over 40 years’ experience. Part of the endorsed courses assessment team.
Judith Hughes
Award-winning hair, barbering and beauty salon owner, trainer and specialist in Habia for hair standards.
Jaqueline O'Sullivan
Award-winning nail technician and international judge with expertise in training, assessment and nail technology.
Beverley Higham
Award-winning beauty and holistic therapy teacher. Has published research on woman’s health and has a passion for aromatherapy.
Samantha Ashton
Head of Global Education & Development for a leading spa with over 25 years experience in the spa and cosmetics industry.
Our Ambassadors
Sean O'Sullivan
Nail Industry Consultant, Competition Director
Kim Ford
Beauty Expert, Educator, Examiner
Clare Porter
Beauty Therapist, Salon Owner
Sam Marshall
Beauty Educator, Salon Owner, DEI Specialist
Julie Guzzo
Curriculum Director, Coleg Cambria, Wales
Jiak Hing
Bespoke painting nail artist
Andrea Simpson
Facialist, beauty expert
Laura Leigh Kerr
Academy Director, Rainbow Room International, Scotland
Louise Gray
Hair and Beauty Curriculum Expert
Emma Curd
Co owner at MATAKKI, Aesthetic practitioner, prescriber, educator
Tina Robinson
Global Director of Education, Sassoon
Tanya Purvis
Curriculum Manager, South West College, Northern Ireland
Lee-Ann Walker
Manager, West Lothian College, Scotland
Tanya Heslip
FE Development & Quality Manager, Northern Ireland