Meet Our Team

Erika Oswin

College Principal

Founder and principal of the Oxford International College of Beauty, Erika Oswin, began her career path in Beauty Therapy in 1980. Over the following 10 years she gained vast experience in the beauty industry owning and managing four successful hair and beauty salons whilst teaching beauty therapy part time. Recognising a niche in the market for quality beauty therapy training, Erika set up the Oxford International College of Beauty in 1990, the first beauty school in the region.

Elizabeth Goodacre

College Administrator

Elizabeth Goodacre has worked at the Oxford International College of Beauty since 1991. With professional beauty therapy qualifications and administration experience, Elizabeth plays an active role, using her skills to offer course advice and welcomes students into the college when they begin their beauty therapy journey.

Helen Thorpe

Senior Tutor

Helen joined the Oxford International College of Beauty in 1994 after working for Erika in her beauty salons for several years. Having worked in the beauty industry since 1986, Helen brings a wealth of experience to the college. Helen enjoyed a career of working in prestigious salons and abroad before joining the teaching team.

Heidi Silvester

Senior Tutor

Heidi graduated from the Oxford International College of Beauty in 1999 and joined the Oxford International College of Beauty team in 2001 after graduating from the University of Plymouth with a biological science degree. Heidi built up her beauty client base and experience and started our sister company, The Skincare Clinic in 2003.

Heidi has led her group of therapists in The Skincare Clinic to the finals of the British Beauty Awards in 2009 and has won the Decleor prize for Highest Growing Salon in the South West for the last 3 years running. She has also reached Gold Salon Standard for the last 7 years, a huge personal goal.

Gail Pursey 

Tutor

Gail graduated in 1997 and has enjoyed her varied career working as a beauty therapist in various salons and spas. After working as a senior therapist and spa manager, Gail joined the OICB teaching team in 2011 feeling she had a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with new students. Gail works as a tutor at OICB and also as a senior therapist in our award winning salon ‘The Skincare Clinic’. Gail specialises in IPL advanced skin rejuvenation and hair removal treatments.

Amy Wharton

Tutor

Amy graduated from our CIDESCO/CIBTAC course in 2005 and worked in a local beauty spa before heading up North to work in the award winning Ragdale Hall Health Hydro & Thermal Spa in 2006. During her 3 years she progressed to a senior beauty therapist and assistant work experience co-ordinator. In 2009 Amy did her teacher training and combined working as a tutor and in a salon part-time. Amy moved back home to Witney and joined the OICB team in 2011 and works as a tutor and senior therapist in our Skincare Clinic.

Max Viner

Junior Administrator

Max Viner joined the team in the Summer of 2010. Max will be processing EMA payments, registers and enrolment information as well as providing valuable support and assistance to the general running of the college.