The first meeting of the British Hair & Beauty Collective took place with hairdressers, barbers, press and industry representatives virtually gathered together.
Collette Osborne from Salon Owners United and Keith Conniford, Registrar of the Hair & Barber Council led the British Hair & Beauty Collective meeting; it got off to a good start as everyone agreed the industry needs to unite and have one voice.
“We are an incredible industry and have so much to offer economically, career wise; also as Covid has shown, a sense of wellbeing to the nation. However, we need to speak with one voice; otherwise no one – including those in Government – is going to take us seriously,” said Gareth Penn from Good Salon Guide.
Chair of the APPG for Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, Christina Rees MP was also there; she who talked about the steps Government is taking for small businesses; as well as the challenges that face the industry in getting its voice out. Christina went on to say that she had a passion for our industry as her daughter was a qualified hairdresser. She firmly believed in mandatory registration of the sector; she would do all that she could to help assist the industry in this quest.
Keith Conniford said: “This first meeting of the British Hair & Beauty Collective was a huge success with colleagues from all parts of the sector participating. For years many industry professionals have felt their voices aren’t heard, well now they will be. Our sector’s APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group for Hairdressing, Barbering and
Cosmetology) is stronger than ever and is the ONLY APPG in Westminster representing the Hair and Barber Sector. And as the Hair and Barber Council is the ONLY statutory authority for the hair and barber sector, we are in a unique position to support this group and the industry. A truly mementos occasion and one that will be built upon in the months to come.”
Collette Osborne added: “I am so happy to see so many industry leaders come together and know we will achieve so much more as one force. Together we have the opportunity and experts to achieve the professional status our industry deserves.”