Jenny Wiles, Mavala’s International Trainer Retires After 54 Years
After an incredible 54 years at Mavala UK, our beloved International Trainer Jenny Wiles has said goodbye as she begins her well-earned retirement. Her career took her across the globe, teaching thousands of students and representing Mavala with unmatched grace, humour, and professionalism. She will be extremely missed.
Jenny first joined the Mavala UK team in 1972 where she was tasked by head office to run the Mavala beauty training school and host promotional nail clinics around the UK. Her career quickly blossomed to make Jenny our International Trainer based in the UK, as a result of her unparalleled knowledge of nails and skincare.
Jenny began working in the beauty industry straight from school, but at the time there was no formal training available in the UK. Jenny instead trained in France, concentrating on the latest technology for facial treatments and bringing back a wealth of new knowledge to the UK. She went on to work as a make-up artist at the BBC, which included training up new make-up artists – who would often get poached by ITV! Once Jenny joined us she never looked back, embracing our philosophy of ‘care before beauty’.
Jenny says that the Mavala team feel like family, which is one of the reasons she stayed so long: “I like the fact that Mavala has a family ethos and I feel very much part of it. Mavala is one of the few companies that when people join, they want to stay forever!”
To celebrate Jenny and honour the legacy she leaves behind, we enjoyed a tea party to wish her a heartfelt farewell.
Jonathan Hodge, Managing Director at Mavala UK says: “Jenny has been a huge part of the team for 54 years and will be missed beyond belief. She has had an exceptional career at Mavala, and we are incredibly grateful for everything she contributed to the brand. While we are very sad to see her go, we are excited for her to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.”
A few highlights of Jenny’s amazing career:
Favourite Destination: Mauritius was Jenny’s most cherished place to teach, where she trained groups of 50 dedicated students. “Their enthusiasm and discipline were the best I’ve ever seen,” she says. “Truly phenomenal.”
Unforgettable Moment: When flights were grounded due to the Chile ash cloud, Jenny had to cross the River Plate by ferry, alongside goats and sheep, with all her Mavala kits in tow. “It was extraordinary!” she recalls. Despite her room being given away, the hotel staff went above and beyond to ensure she had a place to stay.
Funniest Adventure: A 14-hour sleeper train in India with narrow bunks, confiscated shoes for safety, and a hole-in-the-wall toilet made for a wild experience! “I think they thought I was mad,” Jenny laughs. Even with power cuts during a training session, the joy of two students receiving a bottle of nail enamel worth nearly a month’s wages is a memory she’ll never forget.
Favourite Product & Colour: Jenny’s go-to product is Mavala’s Cuticle Remover, due to its “Instant magic with no scraping.” Her favourite colour is No. 3 Paris, the perfect red for every skin tone.
We will miss you Jenny!
