Meet our team
At the age of 18 I started to play non league football, which I still do to this day, although i'm not getting any younger!
After leaving Hull City I started working at Arco who are a Health & Safety supplier in Hull. I spent 15 years at Arco working my way up to supervisor of the returns department, and gaining various Health & Safety Qualifications along the way.
In June 2021 I went down to part-time so I could help run the business with Jody on the other 2 days. After a year of doing this I decided to leave Arco and work full time, at what was then Brown Sugar.
Alongside my role as a company director and the day to day running of the business, I am also the exam officer so look after booking and Invigilating the exams in the centre to ensure they are carried out as per the awarding bodies requirements. Once the learners have completed their qualification I am responsible for claiming the learners certificates, and I am also the qualified first aider on site.
I am looking forward to what the future holds as part of the rebranding to Niche Education & Training Ltd, and being part of the learners journey with us.
With over 12 years of experience in the hairdressing industry and 4 years in education, I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping learners grow in their careers. At Niche Education & Training, I currently deliver Level 2 Hairdressing apprenticeships, Level 2 full time Hairdressing study programmes, and Level 3 Hairdressing adult programmes (age 19+), ensuring students receive in-depth, tailored training to support their assessments and career progression.
Throughout my career, I have also taught across various levels, including Entry Level 3, Level 1 for 14-16-year-olds, Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing apprenticeships, Level 2 Hairdressing Study Programmes (Age 16-19), and Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing Programmes for Adult learners.
Before becoming a tutor, I worked as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, which strengthened my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I enjoy helping individuals realise their potential and believe that with the right determination and support, everyone can achieve great things.
I hold a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Level 3 Assessing Vocational Achievement, and NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing, along with specialist training in GHD styling, Balayage, Hair Extensions, and Barbering techniques, including skin fades and razoring. My goal is to inspire and mentor students, helping them build confidence and master their craft.
Outside of work, I love keeping up with the latest hair trends and techniques, always looking for new ways to bring creativity into my teaching. I’m also passionate about spirituality and enjoy working with crystals, manifestations, and affirmations to bring positivity into my life and the lives of those around me.
I gained my teaching qualifications - Level 3 Assessors qualification, my Level 4 Certificate in Education and my Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance qualification.
I have 20 years experience in the hair industry. Hair was always my main focus from the age of 14. I started working weekends and evenings at a local salon. I always admired the stylists skills and knowledge that I was fortunate to share. Here I was offered an apprenticeship gaining NVQ levels 1,2 & 3. Once I gained the experience I decided to set up my own business. Working as self employed in a popular hair extension salon. This became a fast success that lead me to opening my own salon soon after, were I employed my own apprentice. Over the years I’ve progressed my knowledge and skills by completing various colour and hair extensions courses along with business and marketing.
I’ve never lost my passion for hairdressing but around the time I became a mum I decided my passion had shifted to helping others succeed, following their dream to become a hairdresser and setting up their own business in the industry.
I enrolled and completed my Level 3 Assessors Qualification, then progressed onto completing my Level 4 Certificate in Education at Huddersfield University.
For many years I have had my own business and in that time I have worked with many different brands within the industry. I have 10 years teaching experience working within an FE college and privately, and hold my L4 CertEd Teaching qualification, L3 Assessors qualification, and a number of L2 and L3 Beauty qualifications.
7 years ago I went back to college as a mature student at the age of 37, I completed a Level 2 Make Up Qualification and I gained a love for learning all things Beauty!
I then went on to open my own successful salon and started offering Makeup lessons and found what I loved doing the most (teaching!).
I am a qualified Tutor/Assessor, and hold my L3 Diploma in Make Up Artistry, along with a number of L2 Beauty Therapy units.
I have been teaching Government funded VTCT qualifications for 3 years now. I have worked at Niche Education & Training for 2 years delivering the adult Make Up Artistry courses, and also the age 16-19 full time study programmes.
I currently run my own successful business outside of my teaching role, and started in the world of education 10 years ago. I have previously worked at a mainstream college (Hull College) prior to my role at Niche.
I have recently come back into teaching after a break and currently deliver Nail qualifications to adult learners.
Rachel is a fully qualified and experienced lecturer, Assessor, IQA and EQA who has worked in a variety of training environments since starting her teaching career in 2005. She has worked in a number of further education college’s, as a Regional and Head of Education for a number of companies within the beauty industry along with running her own centre.
During her vast teaching experience Rachel has provided specialist beauty training for some of the most prestige spas and salons both in the UK and Internationally.
Rachel also currently works as an EQA (External Quality Assurer) along with a number of key roles within a number of qualification awarding bodies.
Tracey Stammers - Hairdressing IQA (Internal Quality Assurer)
I am an experienced and dedicated Hairdresser and Barber with over 42 years in the industry. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of salon settings, progressing to management roles, which have given me a well-rounded understanding of the demands and intricacies of the business. I have consistently demonstrated a passion for both practical application and the academic side of the industry, which led me to transition into teaching.
My career in education began with roles as a hairdresser and barber tutor within further education and the private sector, where I designed and developed courses that were tailored to meet the evolving demands of both the industry and curriculum. I take pride in my ability to adapt and innovate, ensuring that students are not only learning the necessary skills but are also equipped for success in the dynamic and fast-paced world of hairdressing and barbering.
Currently, I serve as the Lead Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) in Hairdressing within a mainstream college, and are also the Hairdressing IQA at Niche where I ensure that all tutors and students adhere to the high standards set by the awarding body. This role has strengthened my ability to assess, monitor, and uphold educational quality while maintaining a focus on continual improvement. My key responsibilities include working closely with tutors, and learners, coordinating with education centres, and driving towards a 100% success rate. I am proud of my work in fostering strong partnerships between educational institutions and industry professionals, which ultimately supports the success and growth of apprentices and students alike.
As I continue to grow within the education sector, I remain committed to developing industry-relevant courses, nurturing talent, and maintaining a high standard of excellence in all areas of my work. My experience, leadership, and passion for both the practical and educational sides of the hairdressing and barbering industry have allowed me to make a significant impact, and I am excited to continue contributing to its future development.
Mathematics Specialist | PGCE in Secondary Mathematics | Functional Skills Tutor
With over ten years of experience in both classroom and remote learning, Lauren is a dedicated mathematics and english tutor known for delivering outstanding results. Holding a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics and a degree in Law, she brings a logical, structured approach to teaching, helping students build confidence and master complex mathematical concepts.
Believing that every student learns differently, Lauren tailors teaching methods to suit individual learning styles, ensuring personalised support for maximum understanding and progress. Specialising in key areas such GCSE and SATs support in maths, and functional skills maths and english, she has achieved an impressive pass rate, guiding students to academic success through engaging, effective teaching strategies.