Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) has appointed Gill Morris to the newly created position of partnership director. In this role, Morris will build and maintain key stakeholder relationships to develop business growth for Habia.

Morris is a founding member of Habia – which was conceived in 2000 – and she has worked in the industry for many years, most recently running her own business consultancy and skills training company GMT Business Training.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed as partnership director of Habia,” said Morris. “I feel as though my career to date has brought me to this point and I’m looking forward to bringing education and the commercial side of the industry closer together – bridging the gap that often exists between the two.”

Morris added: “My remit is to bring together education, industry and employers for mutual benefit ensuring the future success of not just Habia but the industry as a whole.”

Ian Taylor, chief executive of SkillsActive – a Sector Skills Council for active leisure, learning and wellbeing of which Habia is a part – said: “We would like to welcome Gill to this very dynamic role. Habia has transformed over recent years and we have a really talented team working for the company. This position is the final link where we connect with all stakeholders to work collaboratively in the best interests and integrity of the industries.”

In 2008, Morris was appointed as employer champion by Habia.