IN THE KNOW

More business support promised on energy services

Government energy regulator Ofgem has announced its expanding its Standards of Conduct to apply to businesses of any size, not just micro businesses. In its nondomestic market review, Ofgem said the changes would mean “fairer treatment, more support resolving disputes and greater transparency on broker fees” for businesses, potentially positively impacting thousands of salons hit by ever-rising power costs.

Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the NHBF, welcomed Ofgem’s moves to improve customer service from energy companies for businesses, “even if it took a while to get there”. She said: “Businesses in the hair and beauty sector will benefit as standards of conduct will apply to all businesses, not just micro business customers, and small business customers will now be signposted to further support.”

The NHBF fed into the review and will continue to work with the regulator, as hair businesses are still challenged by high energy prices and inflexible payment plans.

MEET THE #SKPCOLLECTIVE

The #SKPCollective team 2024 has been unveiled! It consists of (pictured above, from left): Harry Watson, DooDahs Hair, Hertfordshire; Vishali Visavadia, London Road Hair, Leicester; Grainne McClelland, Coventry; Chantelle Jones, Seckingtons, Northampton; Tommy Hardy, House of Marshall, Falkirk; and Alex Melville, The Hair Club, Stirling.

The six members were selected from a final group of 12 after being tasked with creating a captivating reel in just one hour using Schwarzkopf Professional products, and were then interviewed by a judging panel that included Creative HEAD’s digital director, Kelsey Dring.

Everybody’s talking about…

Foil It or Paint It tour

It’s nearly summer, and the demand for blondes is ramping up. But do you feel like you’re always using the same technique? Want to boss balayage and change up your approach? Then L’Oréal Professionnel Paris has the powerhouse duo for you. Harriet Stokes and Jack Howard (pictured) are teaming up to hit the road and decode their style and approach to creating a balayage result. Yes, they’ll share the skinny on foils, freehand, blend and gloss to create flawless results, but they’ll also be deep diving into consultation, managing expectations and social media.

WHERE AND WHEN: Glasgow, 8 May; London, 12 May;

Liverpool, 13 May.

CONTACT: wolfandwhite.swoogo.com/BalayageTour

Changes at the top for Headmasters

Headmasters, the 54-strong salon group, will see new directors joining the board and taking on the day-to-day responsibilities of running the business.

Laura Geary, Simon Barlow, Jo Wickenden and Sophie Hill join the board, as current directors John Sanders, Trevor Sanders, Mike Taylor, Mark Foster, and Tim Binnington step down from their day-to-day director’s responsibilities but remain as shareholders.

BOOK IT!

LINE, LAYER, AND GRADUATION

This intensive three-day cutting course with Allilon Education is packed with invaluable insights, tips, and tricks to empower yourself with these refined skills. Perfect to take back to the salon, you’ll know how to choose the correct technique, nail suitability and how best to control your body position.

WHEN: 7 to 9 July

WHERE: London

CONTACT: alliloneducation.com

OSiS launches new competition

A new global competition from OSiS is giving stylists the chance to showcase their skills and creativity, with a chance to win a one-to-one meeting with either Schwarzkopf Professional global ambassadors Nick Irwin or Lisa Farrall. Stylists must upload a video showcasing a styled look using OSiS products to their TikTok and/or Instagram accounts, tagging @schwarzkopfpro and using #OSiS #justaddyoucontest along with the specific category hashtag – #texturedhair, #longhair or #shorthair. The judging panel includes Lisa and Nick, alongside Reema Jaber and Armin Morbach. Be quick – entries close 31 May, and winners will be selected by 16 June.

WATER SAVINGS FOR SALONS

Hair and beauty salons could save up to £274 a year on their water bills by switching supplier, according to a new study by Clearsight Energy. This equates to a combined saving of £13.2 million nationally on the 1,502 cubic metres of water used daily in each location in the sector.

BOOST IT!

PASSIONATE PROFIT TOUR

Want to make more profit? Of course you do, so catch the Fantastic Hairdresser, Alan Austin-Smith (pictured), on tour to discover the Passionate Profit principle. His winning formula for running a successful salon business? Passion + profit = the secret sauce! Sponsored by new software partner Floomly, the tour kicks off on 22 May in Glasgow. Tickets cost £125; thefantastichairdresser.shop

AHS International Visionary Award 2023

ALTERNATIVE HAIR SHOW: FIRST ARTISTS REVEALED

Anne Veck, Marc Antoni, SACO and Sanrizz are among the artists performing at this year’s Alternative Hair Show.

Taking place on Sunday 13 October at London’s Roundhouse, the theme is Evolution. Stylists can also enter the 2024 International Visionary Award, with the final held at the show. The categories are Cut & Colour, Men’s and Avant Garde.

For more details, visit alternativehair.org