CIDESCO International, the standards setter for the global spa and beauty industries, has announced that Sandy Fuhr has been elected as its new president.

Fuhr, who hails from South Africa, replaces Anna-Cari Gund who has held the post for the past seven years. Fuhr has served as CIDESCO's PR board member since 2011 and has worked in the beauty industry for more than 30 years. She is the founder of the Sandy Roy Beauty Therapy Institute, which has 12 beauty and nail training colleges and previously managed 16 beauty salons in South Africa

Fuhr said: "Becoming president of CIDESCO International is an honour and a privilege. CIDESCO represents the most incredible professionals in the beauty and spa industry from all around the world who work tirelessly to maintain standards and educate new generations."

"I couldn't be more proud to be part of such an inspirational organisation and I am looking forward to supporting the further growth of CIDESCO worldwide," she added.

Fuhr's appointment was announced at the 67th CIDESCO World Congress General Assembly, which took place in Chicago at the end of September, alongside two other board appointments; Laura Grazioli as the Sales and Marketing director and Gerard Gordon as the executive director, a newly created position.

Vicky Harper, who previously served as the board member for Education, was re-elected to the newly-titled position of Education Quality Assurance director, while VP Karin Lupgens, Education Development director Pamela Adkins and Financial director Biju Nair all retained their positions.

A number of CIDESCO members, including Annica Joensuu, Cheng Ming Ming and Lydia Sarfati, were honoured for their services to the industry, with Joensuu winning the CIDESCO Medaille d'Or and Ming Ming and Sarfati being awarded CIDESCO Medaille du Merite. Norlisa Lee Binti Abdullah won the CIDESCO Medaille d'Esthetique, while outgoing president Anna-Cari Gund was given the title of Honourary President title.