Runa has a degree in Professional and Vocational Education and a Level 7 Diploma in Leadership and Management combined with qualifications and industry experience in Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Sports Therapy, Stress Management, Holistic and Complementary Therapies.

Runa has worked in 5 Further Education Colleges and progressed from lecturing, through curriculum management to senior management and directorate. Runa led the national development of qualifications and curriculum in Beauty Therapy for Scotland, Botswana and India. Runa was also a HMIe Associate Assessor for hairdressing, beauty and complementary therapies and quality and curriculum.

Runa’s experience of UK and International vocational education and training means that she can provide the best possible support and advice to centres and the teams that she works with. Runa has over 25 years’ experience of working with leading awarding organisations as an Examiner, External Verifier, Regional EV, Technical Expert, National Business Development Manager and International Commercial Director.

After working in beauty, spa and private physiotherapy, Joan entered the further education sector and taught for many years. During this period in education, she had a wide range of roles, including Assessor, Verifier, Examiner, Team Leader, Curriculum Manager, Head of Department, Director, Senior Manager and Assistant Principal.

Joan is the WorldSkills UK Ambassador for the North West region and encourages participation in WorldSkills competitions so learners can benefit from the focus on technical excellence and the opportunity to enhance their careers. As part of this work, Joan has visited WorldSkills competitions in Budapest and Abu Dhabi. Joan was the first winner of the TES WorldSkills Hero Award in 2020 and has recently won a WorldSkills Europe Honorary Award for her outstanding contribution to raising standards in skills and training in the UK.

Joan is the author of The Official Guide to Spa Therapy and has contributed to many other beauty textbooks. Her passion for the industry has seen her visit spas all around the world, including Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Dubai, Iceland, India, Morocco Sri Lanka and Thailand. Joan was a co-author of the No 1 UK/USA bestseller Beauty and the Best book.

Amanda Bedwell is an Advanced Beauty Therapy Practitioner and Educator. She is currently the Standards and Qualifications Project Manager for the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA). She is also currently an Employed and Freelance Trainer.

Alongside working in the beauty and spa industry, Amanda entered the Further Education sector and taught for many years. During this period in education, she had a wide range of roles, including Assessor, Verifier and Course Developer.

Amanda is a co-author of ‘The Beauty Therapy Training Resource Disk’, published by Heinemann and has contributed to other textbooks.

Francesca is the Centre Support Manager for Qualifi Hair, Beauty, Wellness and Aesthetics qualifications. Her role is to guide centres through the application and approval process and then support them whilst they are offering Qualifi qualifications.

Prior to joining Qualifi, Francesca worked with VTCT and ITEC for 9 years as a Business Development Manager. Before she joined VTCT full time, she was an EQA for them whilst also working for an FE college for many years as Curriculum Leader for Service Industries. After leaving college, Francesca ran her own beauty therapy business for several years whilst teaching part-time.

Francesca holds a variety of qualifications in Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Wellness, Teaching and Education, Management and Mentoring. She strongly believes in lifelong learning and enjoys gaining new qualifications.

Francesca is both proud and delighted to have the honour of joining the International Advisory and Governance Board.