About Us
Nurturing our students for the best start to their career
Carolyne Cross opened Omni Academy, specialist training providers of Hair, Beauty, Make up & Aesthetics in the heart of Walton on Thames in 2008. Approximately 300 students per year run through our academy, launching them into their successful careers.
At Omni Academy we pride ourselves on training our students to the highest standard. We are passionate about enabling our learners to achieve industry recognised qualifications, giving them the best start in their new career.
Finding a specialist training provider that suits your needs isn’t always straightforward. But with a range of Level 2, 3, 4 and 5 programmes across the Hair, Beauty, Makeup and Aesthetics sectors, combined with and a team of dedicated tutors, we truly believe that we offer students of all ages the very best of everything.
Gaining the correct qualification in this rewarding industry can open up many new doors and the VTCT stamp of approval could lead to offers from salons, cruise ships and even opening your own salon.
Our Mission
We build confidence, self-esteem, self-worth…
To grow, be successful, fulfill ambitions…
To give you the best start in your career…
Foundations to Flourish
Our Values
Passion
Reputation
Engagement
Innovation
Knowledge
Flexibility
Quality
Excellence
Meet Our Team
Carolyne Cross
Principal
CIBTAC, VTCT, IIHHT, Babtac, MGBT, Immediate Past Chair of BABTAC and CIBTAC.
With a beauty therapy career stretching over 30 years and extensive experience working aboard cruise ships, in salons, hotels, freelance consulting and even presenting a radio show ‘The Beauty Spot’.
My teaching career has taken me from private education to large FE colleges where my primary responsibilities were to plan and run full time courses.
I have a passion for high standards and professionalism in Beauty Therapy and I am a qualified Examiner and External Verifier for two of the top awarding Bodies. Above all, I gain the greatest satisfaction knowing that I have trained students to the highest possible standards and encouraged them to continually develop their skills, hopefully enabling them to improve their career opportunities and overall job satisfaction.
Rianna Farbey
Student liaison & Business Development Manager
BA (Hons) Media Writing, VTCT.
Rianna joined Omni Academy in 2010 as a student. Her dream was to work on cruise ships and within a year she was fully qualified in Level 2 & 3 and realising that dream, working for Steiner in the spas on board Royal Caribbean and then Celebrity cruise liners.
when she returned to the UK, she got back in touch with Omni Academy and we welcomed her on board as our Marketing and PR executive. Her role has developed and she is now also in charge of Student Liaisons and Apprenticeship Co-ordination.
Rianna thrives on helping people find Omni Academy and gain the success she herself has experienced with us.
Sam Aylott
Director of Hairdressing
Sam is a highly skilled hairdresser and has worked in the hairdressing industry for over 28 years, in Award-winning London salons, theatres and as an international stylist in Doha, Qatar.
Sam has been teaching hairdressing for over 22 years, planning and running courses in private academies and further education colleges with a combination of short, full time and apprenticeship courses. She specialises in all aspects of colour, cutting, styling and avant-garde looks, with an in- depth knowledge of the science of hairdressing. She also works with top brands including Wella and Loreal.
Sam always strives to support and nurture learners to meet their highest standards in all aspects of their learning.
Staci Whiting
Lecturer
City & Guilds Diploma, PTTLLS
Qualified in 2006, Staci began her career in a local salon in Staines, Surrey where she quickly gained confidence and experience in the industry.
Staci’s true ambition was to work on the cruise ships and in 2008 she joined Steiner’s, working on board the new cruise ship “NCL Gem”.
Staci specialized in Ionthermie treatments and traveled to different locations such as New York, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Europe. Part of Staci’s job was also to travel from one ship to another training other beauty therapists on the most up to date treatments and skills available to passengers. This is where Staci’s passion for teaching started and on returning to the UK she gained her teaching qualification.
Staci joined Omni Academy in January 2010 and has become a hugely valued member of our teaching team.
Lisa Parker
Lecturer
CIDESCO, PTTLS, VTCT.
Lisa has had an active role in the industry for 25 years. She worked as a therpaist and built up a lot of experience before opening up her own salons which she ran and grew successfully.
“Owning a salon placed me in a position that required me to employ therapists and work closely with people, beginning their careers in the industry and instilling in them a high standard and level of professionalism. The natural feed on from this for me was to take my knowledge into teaching.”
Lisa maintains her professional skills, running a smaller Beauty Therapy treatment room. She brings to Omni Academy her passion for professionalism, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge which she has established throughout her career.
Francesca Wales
Lecturer
VTCT, NCFE.
Francesca holds a Higher Diploma in Beauty Therapy along with teaching and assessing qualifications from City and Guilds, VTCT and NCFE.
She originally studied at the London College of Fashion and has been in the industry for 40 years, working in various salons and predominantly as a mobile therapist. She started teaching 14 years ago and has a passion for continually learning and developing her own skills as well nurturing passion and high quality skills with her students.
Francesca specialises in electrolysis, facials & skincare and advanced beauty aesthetics treatments.
Karen Adams
Lecturer
Karen qualified as a Media & Special FX Make-Up artist in 2007. From there she decided to broaden her skills and went on to study Beauty Therapy at Levels 2, 3 & 4 finally allowing her to pursue her lifelong dream in this industry.
In addition she has worked as a mobile Beauty Therapist and Make-Up artist throughout her career. Her real passion has always been with Special FX Make-Up. She is very artistic and loves being creative.
Karen has always wanted to pass on her skills and love for the industry and after previously training other therapists in various salons and spas, knew she wanted to eventually start a career in teaching, which is what brought her to the Omni Academy team.
Eugenia Shaw
Lecturer
Bio coming soon.
Omni
All or everywhere
Every, the whole, of every kind
A holistic experience
What Our Students Say
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So grateful for the guidance given
"I loved the courses I did at Omni! I did my level 2 & 3 in beauty therapy about 6 years ago now. The teaching was fantastic & as a slightly older student I was pleased to see others my age & really benefited from the small classes.
I was lucky enough to manage Nuffield Health flagship spa in the city. Since then I moved to the countryside & worked in a boutique salon in Haslemere. I’ve since had two little girls & am enjoying working for myself in my studio in my garden working around my children.
I love what I do and so grateful for the guidance given. I’m actually coming back today to do nail art – something I never thought I would do!"Katy Hardy
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Swedish Massage at OMNI
"I trained in Swedish Massage at OMNI and the professional practice ethos and learning atmosphere / environment was enhanced by the absolute attention to detail encouraged by all those teaching there. Hugely supportive and encouraging when it came to completion of assignments and examination time – greatly appreciated. Fabulous place to learn, a vast amount of expertise and wonderful people. The beauty arena is somewhat different to my nursing background and I loved the contrast! Teaching me to honour myself and the value of surrendering to the couch for some pampering. Never underestimate what it is that you as a therapist do to help your clients feel good and look good Time for the therapist in me to emerge I feel and so I would not hesitate to develop skills and learn more at the Omni Academy of Beauty."
Marion Elizabeth Towner
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What a fantastic place to learn. The people are fantastic, the facilities are top rate! I can see why people come from miles away to study here! I’m fortunate that I’m fairly local! From the first phone call, I knew that I would be completing my Level 2 Beauty Therapy here (probably Level 3 too!) and my massage courses. Rianna is very friendly and informative but not pushy. She is an excellent first contact with Omni Academy of Beauty. Carolyne and Staci are excellent tutors and communicators. The classes are never boring and I’m actually learning something and enjoying being here! If anyone is looking for a place to study Beauty Therapy or Massage, I recommend Omni without reservation.
Melinda Cole
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