FORD’S Thoughts

Global business & beauty education expert, KIM FORD, shares news, views & observations from the international nail circuit

ABOUT KIM FORD

Kim Ford has worked in the beauty and education sectors for over three decades, in more than 40 countries. She has honed her skills in beauty, spa, sports, nails, holistic therapy and aesthetics, in private and public education establishments, spas, salons and retail businesses.

Kim has extensive experience as an international examination officer for awarding organisations, and has held the titles of chairman of BABTAC and CIBTAC and vice president of CIDESCO GB. An education consultant for CIDESCO International, she sits on a number of industry boards globally as a director or trustee, and has won awards for education and business in the UK and internationally.

As owner of Beauty Enterprise Solutions, Consultancy & Training, Kim supports industry education establishments in gaining accreditation or endorsement. She strives to raise industry standards and help beauty professionals reach their education and career goals.

The Salon Hygiene & Safety Rating Scheme was unveiled at Olympia Beauty last October. It has been founded by industry legend & chair of the Federation of Nail Professionals, Marian Newman BEM, in conjunction with Sandra Moore, technical director at Hygenisys environmental health consultancy. I joined aesthetic trainer, Andrew Hansford; beauty trainer, Helen Ward; Sam Blake of The Safer Salon Geek and therapist & educator, Sam Marshall, at a presentation of the initiative, which was well received by attendees.

What will SHSRS do for you?

The Salon Hygiene & Safety Rating Scheme provides clients with valuable information about the quality of your salon services and the education standards of you and your employees. It can help clients to identify and address issues or concerns, and make an informed decision about which nail salon meets their needs.

The scheme also encourages nail salons to maintain high standards and provide an excellent service in order to receive a positive rating. This promotes healthy competition and improves the overall standard and reputation of the industry.

Why has the scheme been developed?

The beauty industry is unregulated, so the quality of services and education varies greatly. This SHSRS has a rating system of Platinum, Gold and Silver, so that salons can be aware of their standing and strive to maintain or improve it, and clients have a benchmark for the service they can expect to receive. The scheme is not designed to criticise, but encourage salons to raise their standards and be the best they can be, and on a wider scale this will support the professional reputation of the beauty industry.

Notes from the SHSRS team

I am honoured to be part of this scheme, working alongside outstanding industry experts across nails, beauty and aesthetics. It means I can give support and guidance to new and existing members of the industry, to help them be confident in their performance and proud of working within the sector.

The SHSRS team comments: “The scheme promotes businesses with robust health, safety and infection control measures, and those that have a management system in place to reduce risk. It provides reassurance that rated businesses are acting in compliance with their legal responsibilities.”

Those that apply for the scheme will be visited by a member for assessment, and guidance will be given on hygiene, safety, compliance and legal responsibilities.

DID YOU KNOW…?

I attended the Safety in Beauty International Diamond Awards last December at The Hilton on Park Lane, London, and received the Highly Commended award for Best Beauty Therapist. It was an amazing evening of entertainment, dining and celebration.