Habia, a standards setting body for the hair and beauty industries, has named the Gerrard International Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy as a Habia Centre of Expertise, the first in the south of England and one of only six in the UK.

The academy, which is based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and offers training courses in beauty therapy and nail treatments, had to meet rigorous assessment criteria and pass a site visit from an industry assessor to be granted the accolade.

Nicola Turner, head of Sales and Marketing at Habia, said: "Centres of Expertise are a national network of learning providers delivering the very highest quality programmes."

Susan Gerrard, founder of the academy, said: "The team worked extremely hard for this - an amazing achievement to be recognised for the high standards we set at the Academy."

Bill Shaw, Habia chairman, said: "My congratulations to the team at Gerrard International on achieving the Habia Centres of Expertise accolade. It is recognition of their hard work, professionalism and high standards."