Lesley Blair MBE - CEO & Chair
Lesley Blair MBE took over the position of Chair at BABTAC & CIBTAC in 2018 after a six-year stint on the council prior to that.
Holding qualifications from CIBTAC, ITEC, IHBC and City & Guilds including Level 4 Advanced modalities, she also holds both teaching, assessor and expert witness qualifications and achieved a First-Class Honours Degree in Finance in 2010. She is also an accomplished CIBTAC examiner with 26 years’ experience.
Since becoming Chair, Ayrshire-based Lesley has worked tirelessly to ensure the values and objectives of both these prominent not for profit organisations continue to be maintained, ensuring our industry continually raise the level of professionalism while championing fit for purpose qualifications.
Through the pandemic she worked tirelessly on government taskforces and inclusively with colleagues, industry bodies, competitors and media alike for the greater good of the industry. As a direct result BABTAC were appointed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industry Strategy (BEIS) as a part of the safer workplace Covid task force. Throughout this challenging period Lesley was a trusted sectoral adviser, providing invaluable insight into the workings of the sector and offering innovative and creative solutions in the face of continued challenges and obstacles. As a direct result BABTAC were appointed to sit on the first recognised Sector Body for Personal Care Services within government, with Lesley appointed as the BABTAC representative. More recently Lesley was also awarded an MBE for services to the British beauty industry in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.
Lesley also sits on the Cosmetics Informed and Empowered Public Sub-Group - part of the Scottish Government's Interventions, JCCP Register & Stakeholder Group & JCCP Stakeholder Council Steering Group; contributes to the Aesthetics APPG; was part of the steering group of the advanced qualifications NOS (Level 4 – 6); the Advisory Panel of The Safety in Beauty Campaign and the HABIC Executive Council (Ireland).After a personal nomination from founder Caroline Hirons she is also a Trustee on her Beauty Backed Trust. Proof that she continues to practise what she preaches at every given occasion.
Relentless and passionate in her desire to educate those in and out of the industry on the best practices in beauty, Lesley also provides comment for relevant articles, press appearances, TV & radio interviews and expert witness work.