[Updated] Sally Durant Training goes into administration

Story update: Sally Durant sends message to learners, staff and other stakeholders

Sally Durant is currently engaged in serious discussions with an established company in the beauty and aesthetics training sector about a potential transaction that would permit the business to trade forward under new ownership.  

If completed, this would enable the continuing delivery of the existing training courses under the Sally Durant brand. Although no agreement has yet been reached, a further announcement should be coming by the end of May.  

We will keep you updated on this transcation. 

Sally Durant Training and Consultancy has gone into administration, ceasing to trade from Tuesday, May 14. 

The training provider, which provided accredited courses and CPD on advanced skin studies and practices, was founded by aesthetic expert Sally Durant, delivering industry education since 2009. 

Level 4 courses were in collaboration with the London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) but Level 4 learners should get in touch with the college as soon as possible as it won't affect their course. 

In a statement, Durant said: “As a business we have strived to offer the beauty and aesthetic industries with the highest possible standard of advanced education and training with courses that have pioneered the move towards professional regulation and mandatory qualifications.  

“The delays in Government legislation and slow implementation of the JCCP register, together with the financial uncertainty over Brexit, not to mention a considerable amount of ill luck, have all taken a huge toll on the viability of the business. While I have tried everything in my power to restructure or refinance the business in order to save it, I have been unable to secure a way forward.” 

Durant also stated that she has “no funds or assets with which to discharge my creditors or liabilities” and has sought the advice of a licensed insolvency practitioner who has told her, as a sole trader, to declare herself bankrupt. She also said that the official receiver will be in touch with colleges and students in due course with regard to “any money that may be owed to you by the business”. 

“It is a personal tragedy to me to see everything I have worked so hard to achieve collapse in this way, and to feel the terrible burden of letting you all down. I understand the distress and anger that you will feel at this news and my one hope is that some of you at least will understand that that I have at all times done my utmost to provide you with the best education and training I could,” added Durant. 

“I have endeavoured to act with the utmost integrity and honesty in trying to honour my commitments to you and I am desperately sorry that I have not succeeded in doing so, and for the effect that this situation will have on all concerned. I will be leaving an industry I have worked in and loved for 38 years but I hope all of you will be able to move forward from this regrettable situation and enjoy all the successes you deserve.” 

LCBT chief executive Christianne Cavaliere commented on the news: “We are deeply sorry to hear that Sally Durant has gone into administration. As an industry we should work together to ensure learners studies are not affected.  LCBT has been delivering level 4 Aesthetics Cibtac qualifications and will continue to deliver these. We will ensure all learners enrolled with us are able to complete their course. Any learners who are concerned by this development should call LCBT direct as we will ensure that they are able to continue their studies as normal with full support.” 

Lesley Blair, chair of Babtac and Cibtac, has weighed in on the situation too, stating: "We realise this is a very difficult and complex situation for all concerned and would like to do what we can to advise and assist all affected students. Any learners currently registered with Sally Durant and wishing to receive updates and advice can forward through their details, including full name, contact details, course title and current standing, to [email protected] and we will respond to you directly." 

Durant has nearly four decades of experience in the aesthetics industry and has developed a specialist knowledge of skin science. She has worked on a consultancy basis with several high-profile companies including L’Oréal, Skin Brands and Babtac, and has sat on the Cibtac Education Council. 

Durant isn’t the first in the industry to state that Brexit has affected their business, with women’s-only private members’ wellness club Grace Belgravia and South African salon chain Sorbet blaming the UK’s planned departure from the EU for their closures.