Wella RED Business Network Live ignited inspiration and empowered salon professionals for a transformative and successful 2025.
Wella RED Business Network Live, a 27-year tradition for the Wella family, reinvented itself this year with a dynamic format precisely tuned to today’s challenging business landscape. Tatiana Suvorova, Wella’s UK & Ireland leader, greeted 260 attendees who journeyed to Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for this pivotal two-day gathering. “The year 2025 heralds significant change, and we are all discovering innovative methods of engagement,” Tatiana declared, setting the tone for the event.
“We’ve convened not only to address the present moment but also to strategically prepare for the future that lies ahead of us,” she continued, underscoring the event’s forward-thinking focus. This year’s RED Business Network Live was brimming with impactful business content designed to confront current realities head-on. The core objective, she emphasized, was to equip attendees with the essential tools required to navigate the coming year and achieve resounding success.
The first evening plunged directly into crucial business matters with a captivating session dedicated to employment law, providing clear guidance for salon preparedness in the face of emerging changes. Legal experts Sally Hulston and Ciara Fulton from Lewis Silkin shared their profound knowledge, delivering a highly informative session that illuminated the complex legal landscape. A dynamic business panel discussion followed, featuring prominent industry leaders who fearlessly tackled the most pressing challenges facing businesses today.
Panel discussion
Anya Dellicompagni, Natasha Grossman, Hellen Ward, Alan Simpson, and Patrick Gildea then engaged in a candid and transparent dialogue, fostering open communication within the Wella community to address shared obstacles. This two-day RED community event stands as a highlight on the hairdressing calendar, delivering not only practical business advice but also invaluable opportunities for networking with fellow salon owners and managers. Attendees shared experiences, explored common business challenges, and forged vital connections that will extend far beyond the event itself.
7 Outstanding Speakers
The two-day event featured entrepreneurs and experts who shared insights and experiences through engaging storytelling, providing attendees with valuable knowledge and inspiration for their own business journeys:
- Mark Edwards: Emphasized strengths-based leadership, stating that individuals are six times more engaged when utilizing their strengths, advocating for focusing on development in this area rather than dwelling on weaknesses.
- Clare Bailey: Provided retail guidance, outlining 10 steps to retail success, offering practical strategies and actionable advice for salons seeking to improve their retail performance and boost revenue.
- Adrian Webster: Delivered an engaging session on customer service, highlighting the significant impact of small details, providing relevant examples and practical tips for salons to elevate their customer experience.
- Nick Fry: Shared insights on business, decision-making, and resilience, drawing from his experience as a Formula One team owner, stressing hard work, diverse teams, and decisive action for success and survival in challenging times.
- Lee Warren: Led an interactive session on communication, focusing on influence and persuasion through language, offering practical examples, such as strategically ordering weaknesses and strengths in conversation, to improve communication effectiveness.
- Cassandra Stavrou MBE: Advised on building resilience and company culture, sharing her seven steps to success in the competitive snack market, emphasizing the importance of impatience, embracing ambiguity, and avoiding comfort zones.
- Dave Fishwick: Delivered an inspiring closing session, recounting his journey of building “The Bank of Dave” from a local initiative to a globally recognized business that transformed communities and the banking industry, culminating in his life story being adapted into Hollywood blockbuster movies.
Party Time!
Wella knows how to blend business with pleasure, and the evening’s festivities proved an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Delegates shed their professional personas and embraced the opportunity to unwind, connect, and celebrate late into the night. A lively pub quiz ignited friendly competition, while classic pub games sparked laughter and camaraderie amongst the attendees. The highlight of the evening, however, was the epic ‘bandeokey’ session, which unleashed hidden rock stars and filled the room with infectious energy. Singing and dancing continued into the early hours, creating memories that will last a lifetime and embodying the true Wella spirit.
Wella RED Business Network Live 2025 delivered a wealth of inspiration and practical strategies to empower salon owners for the year ahead. Attendees departed with a treasure trove of key insights, feeling invigorated and ready to conquer any challenge. This event unquestionably solidified its position as the essential networking opportunity, providing salon professionals with the tools and connections they need to thrive in the ever-evolving world of hair. The overwhelming feeling was one of exhilaration and gratitude for an event that truly delivered on its promise.