WELCOME

HAIR: JOSH GOLDSWORTHY AND SOPHIE-ROSE GOLDSWORTHY

MAKE-UP: AMY O'DRISCOLL

PHOTOGRAPHY: SOPHIE-ROSE GOLDSWORTHY

Welcome to the April issue, where business excellence is firmly in the spotlight. We’re celebrating the very best in our industry with the winners of HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards. Their passion, leadership and determination are setting the tone for the year ahead. Personally, I was impressed to see so many previous finalists take home their trophy - proof that perseverance really does pay off.

In more business matters, Bobby Gordon, owner of Fella barbershops and winner of Modern Barber’s Business Leader of the Year 2024, shares his thoughts on the power of team building in HJ Voicenotes, a reminder that strong, connected teams are at the heart of every successful salon. Meanwhile, our HJ Debate tackles a question many of us are grappling with: should we be curious or cautious when it comes to AI? As technology becomes increasingly embedded in our working lives, finding the right balance has never been more important.

Speaking of business benefits, grey is the word in our Colour Special (sponsored by NXT), as we explore the service on everyone’s lips: grey blending. According to 86% of our followers, there has been an increase in clients looking to embrace their greys, so we spoke to the experts to find out what makes this such a smart offering for client retention. We’re also celebrating the techniques behind luxury colour and how to attract high-spending clients. Zoe Irwin’s tip? Tap into beauty consumer trends by offering tailored packages.

I’m also excited to share our Eco Icons for this issue’s Sustainability Special. Think of it as your guide to the businesses and brands helping you make your salon work smarter (for both you and the planet!).

Elsewhere, it was fantastic to see so many of you at our Salon Growth Summit in London. You can read all the highlights on page 31, before turning to page 32 where we look ahead to our Glasgow Regional Growth Summit at The Briggait on April 27.

I hope you enjoy the issue

TEAM HJ

Managing Director Mark Moloney

Editor Charlotte Grant-West charlotte.g@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7369 (Maternity Leave)

Acting Editor Sian Jones sian.j@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4798

Content Editor Chloe Weldon chloe.weldon@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7362

Senior Content Writer Josie Jackson josie.j@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7362

Group Sales Director Jackie Brown jackie.b@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7366

Group Sales Manager Matt Crane matt.c@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7367

Account Manager Max FitzGerald max.f@thepbgroup.com • 0207 349 4793

Recruitment and Classified Nur Suleyman nur.s@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4796

Senior Events Executive Anna van der Walt anna.v@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7377

Exhibition & Awards Executive Betlem Martinez betlem.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 736

Awards Contributor Angela Jones angela.j@thepbgroup.com • 020 7351 0536

Executive Assistant Katie Matthews katie.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4792

Head of Global Marketing Chloe Monina chloe.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4799

Events Marketing Manager Phoebe Ollerearnshaw phoebe.o@thepbgroup.com • 020 7351 0536