We are raising standards in the hairdressing and barber sector by encouraging every qualified and trained professional to join us.
We are the only statutory authority in the sector providing this recognition through our register set up by an Act of Parliament.
State registration is mandatory for doctors, nurses, dentists, gas fitters and many other professions but not for hairdressers and barbers.
Our aims are to continue to grow our register of qualified professionals and to lobby government on behalf of the sector on issues that are important such as consumer safety, training and support and to change the current Act of Parliament so that mandatory registration is required to practice in the UK.
Our industry deserve the recognition and respect that professionals receive across the economy.
Since Covid the hairdressing and barbering sector have been hit hard by debt and spiralling costs, as well as changing working practices. However with no mandatory register of those working Government don’t recognise the scale of the problem and can easily dismiss us. With a mandatory register we’d finally have a voice that can’t be ignored!
We are a statutory authority, created by and Act of Parliament and funded by our members and sponsorship. All of our efforts are directed at gaining respect and professional recognition for our industry. We don’t pay large salaries, nor do we appoint expensive external consultants.
The Hairdressing Council team is led by the Registrar Gareth Penn who has worked in the industry for over 20 years and has considerable political, membership and industry experience.
To achieve our goals and provide support to our registered professionals, our voluntary hair and barber committees meet throughout the year to discuss ways to improve our sector.
The Hairdressing Council, or Board, is made up of respected and experienced hair professionals, industry leaders, educators and experts who set the strategic direction of the Hair & Barber Council. Councillors sit for a term of three years, at which point they need to reapply and we’re always looking for more talent to join our team.
If you’d like more information about the work we do and how you maybe able to help please get in touch.
The Barber Council was established in 2014 and is part of The Hairdressing Council which is the Statutory body established by The Hairdressing Act (1964) and tasked by Government to maintain a register of hairdressers and barbers in the UK.
Currently registration by hairdressers and barbers is voluntary meaning that, in reality, the industry is completely unregulated. This lack of regulatory protection allows anyone to set themselves up as a hairdresser or barber even if they have no qualifications, experience or training. The public is rarely aware of this.
The Barber Council shares the same vision as its parent organisation: the introduction of mandatory state registration of all hairdressers and barbers. The Council believes passionately that achieving this goal will strengthen the profession and increase its appeal to young people entering the industry.
The Barber Council is primarily made up of senior barbers and educators and aims to represent Barbers and Gent’s hairdressers who often find themselves facing different problems to unisex hairdressers.
CEO of Colourstart, the first clinically proven hair colour allergy test and Managing Director of the trichology training business, Trichocare Education.
Accredited and qualified performance coach in UK hairdressing. Former Chairman of The Fellowship for British Hairdressing and President of The Hair & Beauty Charity helping those in need. Elected Chair for The Hair & Barber Council management board committee.
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