MEET
THE TEAM

Exceed Hairdressing Courses provide several different training courses at our training facility in Halifax. We’re sure we will have a course that will suit your apprentice and provide you with the best training to progress their career.

Here’s an introduction to the Exceed team – the people who will train and support your trainees and apprentices. They all have the necessary professional qualifications but our experience of working in real salons helps to provide the skills that today’s employers are looking for.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

HELEN RUTHERFORD

Managing Director / Educator

At the start of her apprenticeship, Helen attended work placement for four days every week. She soon began to excel at what she was doing and passed the City and Guilds Level 2 in Hairdressing. She began to enjoy studying and her confidence grew. She went on to achieved a BTEC in Beauty Therapy, a HND in Beauty Therapy, an Assessor Award and finally, a Certificate of Education - all this achieved from the first step of being on an apprenticeship scheme.

Since achieving all the qualifications above Helen has:-

Owned a successful salon for 20 years (employing 8 staff - all of whom started on apprenticeship schemes)
Successfully achieved 'Outstanding' in all areas of Ofsted full inspection
Lectured at Bradford College
Managed a successful training school (Exceed Training Academy), which has a high level success rate
Trained apprentices who now own their own salons
Trained apprentices who are now lecturers

Exceed Training Company has City and Guilds approval and takes up to 50 students a year. Exceed academy has been involved with Careers Days, which promote apprenticeship schemes within the school environment, and now has optioned new premises to provide an I.T. suite so students have the benefit of 3 salons with different working environments.

Helen launched Exceed Training Company in September 2006 and it has gone from strength to strength ever since. In February 2024, Exceed Training Company received 'Outstanding' in every area of Ofsted full inspection.

“I feel the best achievement in my working career has been getting involved in training apprenticeships. I feel I am making a difference to the choices young people can make and the path they then decide to lead. I give them an opportunity to succeed due to my commitment, motivation and belief in what they are capable of accomplishing if someone gives them an opportunity. I feel that the knowledge and experiences I have gained throughout my career enable me to be a great ambassador for the apprenticeship scheme and what students can achieve.”

Helen Rotherford
Centre Manager

CLAIRE CLOSE

Quality Coordinator / Educator / Lead Safeguarding Officer

Claire has over 20 years experience within Hairdressing education. Claire strives to ensure the learner journey with Exceed, is of value and has an impact for the learner, by developing and maintaining high quality delivery of education to learners. Closely working with Awarding body (City and Guilds) and OFSTED guidelines to promote and uphold an outstanding Hairdressing Education provision. Also, Claire closely works with City and Guilds as a Level 2 and 3 EPA assessor which brings high value of skills, knowledge and behaviours for our learners.

Charlotte Bowers

Stakeholder Coordinator / Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Charlotte is our Chartered Business Manager Apprentice - she works within the senior team to deliver its business plan by contributing ideas and information related to the digital environment, ESFA and OFSTED guidelines. Charlotte's role is to manage stakeholder relationships and works with recruitment, funding and retention. She is first point of call to start the employer or learner journey. To get in touch with Charlotte email - charlie@hairdressingapprenticeships.com or contact her on 07507730536.

VICKI-TAYLOR BURDIN

Level 3 Educator / Assessor

Vicki is our Level 3 Advanced and Creative educator, who prides herself with keeping up to date with the latest trends and visions whilst working on the shop floor. Vicki started her career on an apprenticeship and is a blonde, balayage and vivid specialist in her own salon. Vicki has Level 2 and 3 in Hairdressing, a Certificate in Education and is a fully qualified assessor.

Phoebe Varley

Assessor / Trainee Educator

Carol Lefley

Functional Skills Educator

Danielle Hill

Quality Support

Danielle supports the team with quality support and is also an IQA for Exceed Training Company and can assist any learners with the assessment appeals process.