The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) and The Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) have appointed a new chair and vice chair for 2015/16, with each serving across both organisations.

Current chair Carolyne Cross, who has served in the role since January 2013, will hand over the reigns at the beginning of 2015 to Jason Phillips – a male waxing specialist, trainer and author, who currently holds the position of vice chair.

Phillips entered the beauty industry in 2008 after starting his career in IT. He now works as an intimate male waxing specialist and has developed training manuals for the treatment, in addition to advice books for running a business.

In his new role as chair, he hopes to continue the work of Cross in driving forward standards and to encourage more men to enter the female-dominated industry.

“I want to show men that this industry is a fascinating and rewarding career choice and being involved with the UK’s longest-established professional association for beauty therapists - whose sister brand offers worldwide-recognised beauty qualifications - is a great opportunity to achieve this,” said Phillips.

The new vice chair will be Lesley Blair, who joined the council in 2012 and will spend two years in the position.

Blair, has been a CIBTAC examiner for 17 years and is qualified in all aspects of beauty therapy, holding qualifications from CIBTAC, ITEC, IHDC and City & Guilds, as well as running her own salon. Her degree in finance, investment and risk has made her a valuable resource for the councils too.

Leslie Blair

Blair hopes to bring about stronger industry regulation, to ensure standards are upheld and to help students recognise the importance of world-class qualifications.

Blair also sits on the Cosmetic Intervention Expert Group for Scotland, driving regulation of non-surgical cosmetic interventions following BABTAC’s involvement in the government-commissioned Keogh Review into qualifications required for advanced treatments.

Cross will move into the position of immediate past chair. Owner of the training brand ISIS Beauty Academy, she has worked as a therapist, lecturer, trainer and a radio presenter during her career.

Carolyne Cross

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster,” said Cross. “There is so much passion, enthusiasm and professionalism in this industry and we’ve worked hard to promote and protect that. Looking back over the last two years I know we have made significant progress and firmly turned a positive spotlight on our industry. I could not be prouder of what the team has achieved and know that Jason will take up the mantle and deliver admirably in his time as chair.”