Ayrshire beauty boss awarded MBE after helping battered industry survive Covid pandemic

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An Ayrshire beauty boss who ‘rescued the industry’ during Covid is on cloud nine after being awarded an MBE.Lesley Blair, 52, from Coylton fought passionately to get salons back to business after they were battered during the pandemic.She has told how she would spend hours on the phone to parliaments across the UK, urging them to get the sector back on track.Her efforts have now been given the ultimate praise after she was recognised in Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours List to mark the Platinum Jubilee.The CEO of British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) has told of her shock at receiving the award.Lesley told Ayrshire Live: “I am on cloud nine.

I’m absolutely blown away by it.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.“I was sworn to secrecy for five weeks.

It was actually torture trying not to tell anyone. “But to have it announced on the Queen’s Jubilee makes it even more special.“I was able to celebrate last night with some of my girlfriends.

Lets just say I’m feeling a wee bit tired this morning! I can’t wait to celebrate with my family over the weekend.”Lesley has dedicated 30 years to the industry and has campaigned tirelessly for the UK beauty industry to be regulated and safer.During the pandemic, Lesley went into bat for her colleagues up and down the