Kanchana Anjalee, who is studying Human Resource Management (Top-Up) with the Business School, has been working in the beauty industry since 2007 and is the founder of Luton-based business, Anjalee Laser Beauty and Spa.

Last month, Kanchana was awarded second place for Best Laser Hair Removal Clinic 2022 by the UK Beauty Awards at a glittering ceremony held in Milton Keynes.

Earlier this year, she was also celebrating a win for ‘Beauty Salon of the Year’ in the East of England, a regional accolade given by the English Hair and Beauty Awards – marking the first time her salon has won the regional award at two consecutive ceremonies.

Speaking about her wins, Kanchana said: “I feel so honoured and inspired to have won our region’s Salon of the Year 2022. This win embodies all my achievements throughout the year as a beautician, aesthetician and a Dermalogica Skincare expert. It was genuinely an overwhelming moment in my beauty career to become the only salon to win it in two consecutive years.

“Finishing runner-up for Best Laser Hair Removal gave me a huge motivation boost after Covid to expand my laser services further. I felt valued and recognised for the hard work I have been doing over the years as a laser hair removal provider in Luton.”

Kanchana previously achieved a degree in Salon &Spa Management at the University of Bedfordshire, where she was the first student in her cohort to score full marks in her spa and massage practical assessments.

Looking to the future, after finishing her Human Resource course at the University, Kanchana plans to open an Ayurveda Spa in Luton next year and is currently working on plans for a beauty academy and laser clinic in Sri Lanka as well.

Chris Marshall, Executive Dean of Bedfordshire’s Business School, said: “I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Kanchana in recognition of her success in achieving two UK national awards for hair and beauty in 2022. We are very proud of Kanchana and her enterprise activities.

“As one of the leading UK Business Schools supporting small business enterprises through the Chartered Association of Business School Small Business Charter, this is exactly the enterprise education and student outcomes we are aiming for from our employability-led curriculum. We wish Kanchana every success in her future business ventures and would be delighted to play a further part in that journey if the opportunity arises.”