HJ Reports: Wella Business Network Live 2025

Two days of inspirational speakers - from Formula 1 to Netflix with popcorn included - and the opportunity to connect with like-minded people made for a great start to the year

The #WellaRedBNL delegates

Wella Business Network Live 2025 kicked off with an introduction from Tatiana Suvorova, Senior Director Sales and Education of Wella UKI. “Attracting and retaining clients through creative techniques and trends that are salon-only services will encourage more spend and drive cross-sell opportunities into add-on services,” Tatiana explained. “We want to ensure you have the consultation tools and service offerings to drive this forward.” Acknowledging the issues affecting the sector, Tatiana pledged the brand’s support with tools to help salon businesses, and speakers to empower our industry’s leaders.

The changes in employment law and the effect it will have on employers in the next 12 months and beyond, was the first issue to be addressed by experts in this area, Sally Hulston and Ciara Fulton of Lewis Silkin. They outlined the key changes that will affect employers including day one protection against unfair dismissal and sickness, changes to fire and rehire policies, harassment, flexible working and family rights. Look out for information on these key areas online at hji.co.uk.

The industry panel welcomed Anya Dellicompagni (Francesco Group), Natasha Grossman (HOB Salons), Hellen Ward (Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa), Alan Simpson (Contemporary Salons) and Patrick Gildea (Patrick Gildea Hairdressing). Offering real-life insights, the panel shared their views on maintaining a positive team culture. “Sharing your vision and objectives is critical but the team have to be onboard with the vision in order to achieve the culture. Encompassing their dreams will lead to the business as a whole being successful,” said Natasha.

Industry panel

“You should never assume you know what your team members’ goals are, but finding out what they are will give you an insight into what makes them tick. Let them be good at what they are good at – they will thrive if they love it,” said Hellen. The power of the per fect consultation was a topic that Patrick spoke passionately about and focused on his team and what they wanted, as opposed to the more usual customer view, with fantastic results. “Over six months, we walked through as a guest and could see where team members lacked confidence, so we worked with them individually in these areas. This work has led to a 20 percent increase in rebooking, and a great increase in treatments and retail sales.”

On Monday, host Dom Lehane kicked things off by introducing Mark Edwards, a strengths-based leadership expert who gave insights into empowering team members to delight clients. “We are often tempted to lead consistently but we need to lead others how they wish to be led and ensure we are offering an attractive place to work that is relevant to them and offers growth, support and a collaborative space where they feel recognised. We have to maximise profitability and make every chair count with flexible scheduling where you partner with your stylists to support their success.”

“It’s the tiny things that deliver outstanding customer service, where you go above and beyond,” explained speaker Adrian Webster. “The key to success is being prepared to change, make mistakes and learn from them. Teams want a leader who gives them recognition, validation and time, while showing they care – demonstrated through action and fallibility.”

Bank of Dave’s Dave Fishwick

As the former Chief Executive of the Mercedes Formula One Team, Nick Fry has led businesses through enormous change and built the highest per forming teams. “There is a magic between those that are successful and those that are less so – it’s a lot of hard work! The successful teams do what is needed and the others just talk about it. Teams are all about the people who have clear objectives, accountability and leadership. Communication is critical and you win or learn – not lose, but it has to be fun and you need to celebrate success.”

As hairdressing is a relationship business, magician and former sales director Lee Warren shared how hearts and minds are won by creating pictures, interest and enthusiasm. “Am I articulating the value I am going to give to that client? Talk about the price of the service initially and follow with the benefits, demonstrating you have understood what they want and articulate it back to them clearly.”

Building the fastest growing snack brand in the UK, Cassandra Stavrou MBE of Proper Snacks shared what has driven her success. “You need to have the confidence to back the ideas you have that move you – emotion leads to action, reasons lead to conclusions. I continue to stay restless and believe ideas are never finished as innovation never ends -taking risks keeps you relevant. You need to surround yourself with people who stand for your values and let go of those that don’t as the negative impact they have is immeasurable. There is nothing more energising than taking action rather than ruminating, as your culture is critical. Find something that you can do as a team, a ritual that allows relationships to develop as it is the team that make your business.”

Chairman of McLaren Applied Nick Fry

When you are the subject of Netflix’s most successful British movie with the fastest commissioned sequel you need little introduction, and Dave Fishwick, famed for the Bank of Dave didn’t disappoint. “If you are not making mistakes, you are not trying hard enough – you have to change, adapt and overcome. I had nothing – so how do you go from nothing to something? You have to think outside the box.” Sharing his widely known story, Dave does not let anything deter him and never has, “The bill for regret is a big one so take the risk. Your team and your partner are the most important thing in the world and communication is key to increasing business. Your clients are your most important asset and the price you charge will be forgotten, but the experience you give will always be remembered. I’ve worked with many salons and for the client it is the service you offer that counts and not the money they have spent.”

Determination, resilience, ingenuity and passion was an overriding theme that all the speakers shared, and something that this industry and the attendees at Business Network Live showed in abundance. So, whilst there is no doubt that there are challenges ahead, there is also no doubt about the courage and commitment of this community.