Oxted Salon Celebrates Winning Small Employer of the Year Award

elements hair, beauty and lifestyle have swapped their scissors for champagne to celebrate winning the Small Employer of the Year title at this year’s South East Learning and Skills Awards, which took place on the 20th May 2010 at the Savill Court Hotel in Surrey.  

The award, which was presented to the elements team by Sky News’ Sunrise presenter Charlotte Hawkins, commended the salon’s excellence in vocational education, acknowledging the outstanding achievements of their staff at every stage in their career, which has seen 10 of their 15 stylists already completing apprenticeships in conjunction with the North East Surrey College of Technology. It also recognised the salon as a whole and its commitment to learning and skills, which serves as an example and inspiration to everyone.

elements owner Barbara McNaughton, who has enjoyed a whopping 27 years of success since the salon’s opening, believes apprentices who receive great training to progress their hairdressing skills are the key to a flourishing future for her business and this concept has already seen great results. As well as exemplary staff retention rates, elements training has also lead to clear business benefits, with the apprentices fast on the heels of the senior stylists, contributing almost as much income to the salon.
 
Sky News’ Charlotte Hawkins commented, “Tonight showcased some truly remarkable steps that both individuals and businesses are taking to make skills and learning accessible to all within the workplace. I am delighted to see that dedication to professional development is being rewarded and was honoured to contribute to this celebration of great professional stories.”

Barbara McNaughton was delighted with the prestigious accolade stating: “It is a great privilege to have won this award. I am thrilled, especially because we were up against some awe-inspiring competition. We plan on continuing our work within learning and development as we constantly strive for excellence in the workplace.”

Marinos Paphitis, Regional Director for the Learning Skills Council (LSC) continued: “elements is part of a bigger picture of dedicated individuals and businesses who work together to contribute to the regional economy and the local community. They make the South East a better place for all of us to live and work – and that’s something worth celebrating.”

elements will now go forward to the National Awards from which three of the overall competition’s finalists will be selected to attend the Grand Final in Central London on 15th July, with fingers crossed for yet another win!