Now in their 11th year, the British Beauty & Spa Awards are designed to promote excellence, innovation and professionalism in the industry, as well as to recognise the hard work and commitment of all the finalists - individually and collectively. So who stepped on to the podium to receive their accolade?

Read on to discover the winners...

The search is on for budding entrepreneurs hoping to fund their business ideas, inventions or products (which must show serious business potential and be investment-ready) and who are willing to appear on the television programme Dragons' Den. Auditions will be held in the coming months.

how to enter...

Jon Mills is the managing director of Eurocosmetics Ltd -- UK subsidiary of global French skincare brand Sothys, a multi-specialist, natural ingredient-based product and treatment range, exclusively distributed through salons and spas.

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By Royal appointment

The chic, contemporary Silver Sturgeon yacht provided the nautical setting for the Clarins Gold Salon Awards – now in their 15th year.

The appointment of Carolyn Taylor as managing director of the Decléor, Carita and Shiseido group UK in April this year was a pivotal moment in the restructuring of all three brands.

Regarding last month’s column, I couldn’t find a salon in Dallas that could give me the decades-old lactol manicure (it involves soaking the hands in wam milk). I did lots of online searches after reading about it some time ago in a US nail magazine in Texas. I did, though, find loads of places offering it in New York City.

Mavala is celebrating 20 years in the UK headed up by father-and-son team, Chris and Jonathan Hodge. In their 20 years together, Chris and Jonathan have expanded the Mavala brand from the core nailcare range to a full beauty collection incorporating hand and foot care, skincare, and an extensive cosmetic range.

Sweet Squared is the newly named UK distributor for CND (Creative Nail Design), set up by husband-and-wife team, Samantha and Samuel Sweet.

It was all aboard at the Matis annual awards, when top salons descended on the luxury boat, Royal Princess, to cruise the Thames. Now in their eighth year, the awards recognise outstanding achievement and were hosted by Cosmetronic's Simon and Karen Grogan, Matis' UK distributor.

In an evening that included delicious food, a well-stocked bar, and dancing, the awards were presented for different categories including: Fastest Growing Salon; Regional Salon of the Year; National Award SK4 Salon of the Year; as well as National Outstanding Achievement.

The ultimate accolade of National Matis Salon of the Year was presented by Health & Beauty Salon's publisher/editor-in-chief Jayne Lewis-Orr, to Jenny Loman, owner of Lavender House in Wrexham.

Crying tears of joy, Jenny said: "I'm so thrilled, I can hardly speak. We've won regional awards in 2003 and 2006 - this award reflects the team's hard efforts.

Quality of staff is an issue for the spa industryand it must be rectified through education. Jane Crebbin-Bailey considers the concept

Training is the biggest issue facing beauty therapy salons in the UK, according to a report by Habia