Jo Hansford MBE wins Royal Warrant of Appointment

Legendary colourist secures recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

One of the most iconic colourists on the planet, Jo Hansford MBE has been granted a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment in recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household.

With salons in Mayfair and in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and a staff of more than 90, Jo has been described as the ‘first lady of colour’ and ‘best tinter on the planet’. The Royal Warrant is one of only seven made by The Queen, who was a regular client for three decades.

“It’s a real honour to be granted a Royal Warrant from The Queen, who I have been proud to have as a client for more than three decades,” said Jo. “I think it is particularly wonderful that The Queen awarded it to an all-female owned and run business. It really shows that with grit and determination you can achieve truly incredible things.”

In the 1960s, Jo worked at the iconic Vidal Sassoon salon for more than 15 years. She launched her original salon in Mayfair in 1993 and also unveiled her own product line. She moved to larger premises in 2012 and extended further into Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge in 2022. Her hard work was recognised with an MBE for outstanding service to the hairdressing industry in 2010.

“To receive a royal warrant is the ultimate endorsement of our commitment to service, quality, and to our clients,” added Joanna Hansford, Jo’s daughter and managing director of the salons. “We are an independently run, family business, and this means the world to us and our staff, and it also sends a positive message to the hairdressing industry.”

While guests who fly in from Europe, America, Australia and the UAE are affectionally called “our hair miles clients” by Jo and her team – and other regulars include international royals, politicians, celebrities and high-profile businesswomen and men – the colourist ensures that all clients get the same treatment. “We value each and every one of them and are always grateful that they choose to come to us. We never take them for granted – as soon as you do that standards can slip,” she said.

The epitome of luxury and service, the salons operate in a similar way to the capital’s hotels and restaurants, with teams focused on client liaison, as well as in-house manicurists and qualified chefs.

“I feel incredibly proud of what I have achieved, and I still get the same thrill at seeing someone leave the salon happy, full of confidence, with their hair looking amazing, just like I did when I first started,” added Jo.