VTCT is delighted to announce the appointment of three new trustees to its board: Hellen Ward, Richard Atkinson CBE, and Andy Salter. These esteemed individuals bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from diverse sectors, further strengthening VTCT’s commitment to providing exceptional qualifications and supporting the professional development of learners.
Hellen Ward, is the co-founder & Director of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, the UK’s largest and highest-grossing independent salon. She brings a wealth of business knowledge and industry expertise to the board. With a career spanning 40 years, Hellen has held leadership positions at Harrods Hair & Beauty and is a prominent figure in TV, trade, and consumer media. She is also a board member and Vice President of The Hair & Beauty Charity and BAWE (British Association of Women Entrepreneurs), and co-founder of Salon Employers Association.
Richard Atkinson CBE is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in strategy, engagement, and developing high-performing teams. A former senior commander in the RAF and a NATO Director of Air Operations, Richard currently teaches leadership and strategy at Aston University. Richard’s passion for fostering future leaders aligns perfectly with VTCT’s mission to equip learners with the skills they need to succeed. Richard is passionate about developing leadership skills in the future leaders of logistics so they can boost innovation, through inclusivity and collaboration, and develop the sustainable supply chains the world urgently requires.
Andy Salter has spent most of his 30-year working life in and around the commercial vehicle and road freight sector, building detailed knowledge and expertise. In addition to being the former editor of TRUCK and Commercial Motor magazines, Andy was also a Chair of the International Truck of the Year jury and is now Managing Director of DVV Media International, a leading publisher in the transport and logistics sector. Andy is passionate about the role freight and logistics plays in the development of the economy and has recently been involved in the development of a new information service to help the freight transport and logistics industry prepare for a carbon-zero future.
These appointments demonstrate VTCT’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to delivering exceptional value to its stakeholders, including learners, employers, and education providers across a broader spectrum of industries. Whilst retaining its market-leading reputation in hairdressing, beauty, and barbering, VTCT’s reach now encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including logistics and early years education.