Meet the Team
Meet your friendly team of professionals here at DBTA.
Neeta Deshpande
Managing Director
I am the Managing Director of Diamond Beauty Training Academy in Hertfordshire and the owner of Safi Laila cosmetics. I have been over 29 years experience within the Beauty Industry and have worked in spas including Champneys Flagship spa in Tring, in television (X-Factor, This Morning) and in various Salons. I have been teaching beauty for over 24 years in colleges (London College of Fashion, Oaklands, Hertford Regional College and North Herts College), for Product Houses (Salon System, OPI) and for private individuals in and around the UK. My passion has always been to help others and watch others succeed.
Kathryn Smith
Senior Trainer
Kathryn has been with Diamond Beauty Training Academy for almost 2 years. Kathryn is an experienced Level 2 & 3 Beauty Therapy Lecturer, Assessor and IQA. She specialises in Anatomy and Physiology. She has a passion for teaching and brings 17 years of industry experience to the role. Kathryn has taught in various academies and worked in many award winning salons as a therapist.
Emma Drew
Senior SMPU / Microblading Tutor
Emma is our SPMU tutor here at DBTA. With over 10 years experience in the beauty industry she started her journey in brows over 10 years ago training with HD Brows, brow lamination. Trained in both hand tool and machine method she studied and completed her Level 4 VTCT in Microblading and then then trained in Ombré Blush Brows. Emma is has developed a love for aesthetics and and is trained in basic, advanced and expert dermal fillers. Emma says "I love my job, I love giving and restoring the confidence back in to my clients. My job is extremely rewarding and I'm want to continue growing and helping my clients to bring with their confidence back".
Jen Foster
Nurse Practitioner and Senior Injectable Tutor
Jen has been working in the aesthetics and beauty industry for 14 and a half years. Training as a beauty therapist before completing her nursing and teaching qualifications. Jen has explored her fascination with dermatology as a specialist subject, whilst perfecting Aesthetic Procedures and demonstrating a passion for teaching students. Jen says "I have a passion for teaching and education, I enjoy giving learners an insight into the most highly skilled procedures in the aesthetic world today, and to answer dermatology questions I have encountered over the years. I am also a fully qualified and practiced beauty therapist and nurse with the same amount of years in industry and I believe beauty therapy is all in the precision and application, so being a perfectionist it suits me just fine!".
Laura Sentance
Trainer / Therapist
Laura has been a qualified Beauty Therapist for 20 years. After qualifying she worked for 10 years as a therapist mainly in central London before deciding to go into the teaching side of beauty. Laura became a trainer for Caci International which gave her lots of teaching experience and allowed her to travel all over the country and abroad to train spas and salons in their Caci systems. Laura loves teaching the holistic side of beauty, especially facials. Out of work Laura is a busy mum to 2 little girls.
Helen Clark
Lava Shell and DBTA Trainer
Helen is a Beauty, Massage and Holistic therapist with over 20 years' experience in the luxury hotel spa industry. She has worked for Champneys, Tring, Sequoia Spa at The Grove Hotel and The Spa at Luton Hoo, where she has treated many VIP's and celebrities at these renowned establishments. During her career Helen has studied many Beauty, Massage and Complementary Therapies and has trained with numerous leading Beauty, Spa and Nail product houses. Helen's qualifications include CIDESCO International Aesthetics Diploma, IHBC Beauty Diploma, ITEC Anatomy, Physiology and Body Massage, IIHHT Reflexology and Aromatherapy. Helen is also a qualified teacher and assessor for over 12 years and currently works for an exclusive Australian spa brand as an international spa trainer, teaching in some of the most iconic 5 star luxury spas around the world. Also with DBTA and Lava Shells trainer of course!
Alex James
Lava Shell Trainer and DBTA Trainer
Alex has been in the Spa industry, working in some of the UKs finest 5* hotels for over 17 years. Starting her career as a therapist, she progressed into becoming a Training Manager and Spa Director before wanting to pass some of her knowledge and experience to others. She has travelled across the UK and Europe training pre-opening spa teams in luxury treatments and thoroughly enjoyed each moment. Alex has joined the Diamond Beauty team teaching Lava Shell Massage to those wishing to add a little something special to their treatment menu.
Kate Garratt
Trainer
Kate has been in the hair and beauty industry for over 19 years and has a wealth of experience. This includes winning various industry awards, working at Champneys in Leicestershire, opening her first salon in Royal Leamington Spa and now has a successful high Street Beauty salon and accredited training Academy in the historic town of Warwick. Kate is keen to pass on her experiences to new and already qualified therapist's and has a passion for this through her teaching.
Jennie Richardson
Trainer / Therapist / Administrator
Jennie is a happily married mum of 2 who manages all the Administrative side of DBTA. Jennie is a fully qualified Massage therapist and nail technician. Jennie has been in the beauty industry for 4 years and is also one of the official UK trainers for Lava Shells.
Deborah Rainbow-Sandham
Registered General Nurse and Independent Prescriber
My career has been varied, working within acute settings, and outside the NHS. I have delivered care in HM Prisons, and a Forensic Nurse Practitioner for Cheshire Constabulary. I have been an Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber since 2009 I am a member of the Academy of Higher Education, with the Royal Advanced Certificate in Clinical Education; awarded by the Royal Society of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, in affiliation with the University of Dundee. I am a member of CMAC, BDNG, BACN and a recognised trainer by Fillmed Laboraratories Uk, and Cosmetic Insure. My own training courses are all CPD accredited. I have been a Registered Nurse for 37yrs, a prescriber for 11yrs and an educator for 6 yrs. I am committed to sharing ethical and research based education, enabling students of all learning styles, achieve standards required to ensure patient safety. On a personal note I am married with two amazing children. I am a community Governor for a local comprehensive school. I am a trustee for a cancer charity, and involved with supporting and mentoring local injectors.