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HairCon Now Powered By Fresha

HairCon Now Powered By Fresha

HairCon Now Powered By Fresha

Hair and barbering event announces revolutionary new five-year premier partnership

by AMANDA | INFORM

Exciting times lie ahead for the UK’s most innovative hair and barbering experience as HairCon reveals a major new chapter, welcoming Fresha as its official Premier Partner for the next five years.

Bold, disruptive and future forward, the partnership marks the launch of HairCon powered by Fresha, bringing together two brands driven by a shared ambition to empower and push the hair and barbering industry forward.

HairCon has quickly earned its reputation as no ordinary trade show. Set within a live music venue, it blends high production creative moments, real business insight, and a festival atmosphere that runs long into the night. Fresha, meanwhile, has changed how tens of thousands of salons and barbershops operate around the world with its booking software. It equips professionals and business owners with the tools they need to run their businesses day-to-day with confidence, as well as thrive in a fast-changing industry.

Together, they are focused on championing creativity, supporting strong, sustainable businesses, and bringing the global hair and barbering community together.

Book your tickets to HairCon now: 13-15 June, O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

 

Who’s A 2026 Remi Cachet Super Stylist?

Who’s A 2026 Remi Cachet Super Stylist?

Who’s A 2026 Remi Cachet Super Stylist?

Top extentionists for the brand revealed as new incentive programme is unveiled

by HAYDN | INFORM

Hair Syrup’s Lucie Macleod 

Extensions brand Remi Cachet have revealed their Super Stylists for 2026. The Super Stylist community comprises the top tier of Remi Cachet extensionists, offering them exclusive access to extra benefits that include discounts, training,collaboration opportunities and more. Discover who’s made it onto the 2026 Super Stylist Honour Roll.

Led by founder and global creative director Victoria Lynch, Super Stylists represent the most passionate and committed professionals. “Each year we open the Super Stylist opportunity for applications, ensuring that we broaden the chance to participate. We are always inspired by the quality and talent of the individuals that choose to apply,” she said.

A new part of the project for 2026 is the Super Stylist of the Month Incentive Programme, celebrating the stylists that go above and beyond as brand champions. Each month, one Super Stylist is celebrated for their creativity and impact, receiving a £100 Remi Cachet Gift Card and brand wide recognition across their channels. Every month focuses on a different way for Super Stylists to get involved, from content creation and creativity, to education, sustainability, storytelling and craftsmanship.

Timely Launches Conference To Tackle Salon Sector’s ‘Quiet Financial Crisis’

Timely Launches Conference To Tackle Salon Sector’s ‘Quiet Financial Crisis’

Timely Launches Conference To Tackle Salon Sector’s ‘Quiet Financial Crisis’

Research reveals that 21 per cent of UK salons are currently operating at a loss

by HAYDN | INFORM

Hair Syrup’s Lucie Macleod 

New research reveals that 21 per cent of UK salons are currently operating at a loss, prompting bookings and payments specialist Timely to launch a major new business conference aimed at restoring financial confidence across the industry.

The Business of Hair and Beauty, a free-to-attend one-day event, will take place on Monday 2 February 2026 at The Curve Club, London, bringing together salon owners, founders and experts to address what Timely describes as a “quiet crisis” threatening the long-term sustainability of the UK’s £30bn hair and beauty sector.  

The conference follows the release of Timely’s Beauty on the Brink report, which highlights how under-pricing, rising costs and low financial literacy are leaving thousands of microbusinesses and solo practitioners vulnerable, despite the industry employing almost half a million people nationwide.

Designed specifically for salon owners and beauty professionals, The Business of Hair and Beauty will focus on the practical tools required to thrive in 2026. Attendees can expect actionable insights into sustainable pricing, profit and loss management, and long-term financial planning, delivered through two core panel sessions and a headline keynote.

Leading the conversation is Lucie Macleod, founder of Hair Syrup, who believes that access to the right knowledge, rather than a lack of talent, is the industry’s biggest challenge. “Hair and beauty is a hugely resilient industry,” she says, “but far too many brilliant business owners are still operating under financial pressure. Events like this give founders the clarity and confidence they need to build sustainable, profitable businesses.”  

Tickets for The Business of Hair and Beauty are free, but places are limited, with demand expected to be high. Get yours here.

Blue Tit Goes Global

Blue Tit Goes Global

Blue Tit Goes Global

Salon group opens first international salon in Copenhagen

by AMANDA | INFORM

Blue Tit, the 17-strong London salon chain, is going international with a salon opening in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen.

Salon owner Mads Ruus spent more than 12 years in London with Blue Tit, later becoming Head of Blue Tit’s Academy. The salon’s design breaks away from tradition, with no reception desk or waiting area at the front. A fusion of Scandinavian hygge and minimalism, with London’s cool vibe, the space includes a nod to the building’s former life as a restaurant. Original metal-plated walls remain, softened with light blue hues and warm lighting to create a calming retreat for clients during treatments.

“My vision was to bring a slice of what Blue Tit London does best to Copenhagen, creating a space where clients can come in and feel part of a community as much as a destination,” said Mads. “Everything Blue Tit stands for sits at the heart of the Copenhagen salon’s identity, with a strong focus on being rooted in the local neighbourhood while reaching beyond it.”

The Copenhagen opening follows the launch of four London sites in 2025. “When we opened our first Blue Tit salon in Dalston in 2011, we always dreamed of expanding internationally, and launching our first overseas salon in Copenhagen feels like a perfect fit,” added Blue Tit founders, Matt Gebbie and Andi Hinteregger. “Having Mads, who has been with us for over a decade, lead our first international launch is so special and a dream come true. We’re so excited to welcome clients through the doors.”

Get In The Mood

Get In The Mood

Get In The Mood

Want to be part of a brand that could take your career to the next level?

by AMANDA | INFORM

Hair by Tracey Ann Smith, with photography by Jack Eames and make-up by Lauren Mathis

MOOD, the professional luxury hair brand, is looking to recruit new art team members to work alongside creative director Tracey Ann Smith.

Applications are now officially open for this unique opportunity to be the face of the brand while learning from mentors including Tracey Ann and MOOD ambassador Marlene Lamont.

Art Team members will also be invited to attend and showcase onstage at key industry events throughout the year, including HairCon, as well as get involved in the MOOD 2026 photoshoot this spring creating new brand imagery that reflects its luxury positioning.

New Art Team members will also receive substantial product packages throughout the year to fully immerse themselves in the products, recognise their quality and advanced formulas and understand how they perform on their clients and models.

To apply, you’ll need to submit a one-minute video providing insight into your career to date, and why you want to be part of the MOOD Art Team, plus two photographs of your work: one behind the chair image and one professional image. (If you don’t have any professional imagery, you can submit two behind the chair images.)

Applications will be judged by Tracey, with a shortlist being invited to attend auditions in front of a panel of experts, including AJC 93 communications consultancy and guest judges.

To enter, send your video bio and images to Tracey Ann Smith at creativedirector@jgruk.com

Deadline for entries is 9 February 2026.

Richard Marshall Awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Richard Marshall Awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Richard Marshall Awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Expelled at 15 to Government Advisor

by HAYDN | INFORM

British entrepreneur and founder of Pall Mall Barbers, Richard Marshall, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for Services to International Trade, Mentoring and to People with Dyslexia.

Marshall’s journey is one of the most remarkable stories in modern British barbering, a transformation defined by resilience, self-belief and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others.

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at the age of five, Richard struggled throughout childhood with reading, writing and spelling, even finding it difficult to write his own name. Later in life, undiagnosed ADHD added further complexity. Expelled from school at just 15 with no formal qualifications, his early prospects appeared limited. For the first decade of running his business, everyday tasks such as filling out cheques remained a challenge.

Yet it was through observation, practical learning and mentorship, rather than traditional education, that Marshall began to forge a different path. Against the odds, he went on to build one of the world’s oldest barbershop brands into a global enterprise, with locations in London and New York, and a reputation for British excellence on the international stage.

Despite the barriers he faced, Marshall rebuilt his life through determination and alternative ways of learning, becoming one of the UK’s most respected figures across men’s grooming, hairdressing, small business and exports.

His story reached national prominence when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referenced Richard live on television, highlighting his resilience and contribution to British entrepreneurship.

Today, Marshall advises the UK Government as a member of the Small Business Growth Council, helping to shape policy for the 5.6 million small businesses that underpin the UK economy.

Reflecting on the honour, Richard said: “I’m overwhelmed to receive an MBE from the King. I hope my story and journey demonstrate that it really is possible to overcome the most difficult of challenges. It’s not easy, so I focused on a different direction — grabbing every opportunity with both hands and learning everything I could from other businesspeople. Now I share my knowledge to show parents, employers and teachers that dyslexia and neurodivergence do not mean a restricted future. It’s about instilling can-do confidence.”