The Hairdressing Council Committee Members

We are committed to raising standards in our industry and gaining the professional reputation we all deserve.

Our committee has some of the most respected individuals in the industry. We meet regularly to discuss and implement ways to raise standards and promote registration in the sector.

If you can add something to our committee, then please get in touch, we are keen to work with people from across the industry who have a little time and a lot to give.

Alan Woods
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Alan Woods

Alan is the Chair of the Finance & Governance Committee and Chief Executive of the VTCT Skills group, a Government-approved awarding organisation and charity which has awarded world class qualifications  and assessments since 1962. Since Alan joined VTCT in 2016, the organisation has acquired various other organisations and provides learners and students with end-to end industry recognised qualifications, apprenticeship assessments and work-based learning suitable for the world stage.

Alan Woods

Chief Executive of the VTCT Skills group
David Drew
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David Drew

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.  David is a previous Chair for The Hair & Barber Council. 

David Drew

Hairdressing Councillor
Irene Meikle
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Irene Meikle

Associate Director, Education for Kao Salon Division UK and Ireland with over 30 years of experience in the hairdressing industry. Dedicated to teaching and empowering others in advancing the skills of hair professionals.

Irene Meikle

Associate Director, Education for Kao Salon Division UK and Ireland
Jayne Lewis-Orr
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Jayne Lewis - Orr

With over 30 years at the heart of the professional hair and beauty industry, Jayne Lewis-Orr is one of its most respected and influential figures. Formerly Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Group and Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International, Jayne is the founder and director of Allium Bloom. Providing strategic insight to businesses and organisations across the professional hair and beauty sectors, specialising in business growth, leadership, brand strategy, event direction and industry engagement. 

Jayne Lewis - Orr

Hairdressing Council Chair
John McNally
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John McNally

Practicing Barber and Hairdresser for 50 years. Former local Councillor, MP at Westminster and Chair of the APPG on Hairdressing Barbering and Cosmetology for 9 years.

John McNally

Former Member of Parliament
Matt Benstead
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Matt Benstead

Formerly Head of Salon Insight and Activation and now Channel Director at L’Oreal. Grew up around the passion and pressure of running a small business. Previous commercial experience at Coca-Cola, pladis and the No7 Beauty Company.

Matt Benstead

Channel Director, L'Oreal
Nick Plunkett
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Nick Plunkett

CEO of Colourstart, the first clinically proven hair colour allergy test and Managing Director of the trichology training business, Trichocare Education.

Nick Plunkett

CEO of Colourstart
Oliver Stephenson
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Oliver Stephenson

Dedicated to developing qualifications which bridge the gap between salon employers and grassroots education. Committed to equipping colleges and private training providers with the essential tools to transform student lives through learning whilst fostering sustainable growth in the industry. 

Oliver Stephenson

Industry Manager at City & Guilds
Richard Clark
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Richard Clark

Former Chair of the Hairdressing Council and Master of the Guild of Hairdressers. Working with Aston & Fincher and The Hairdressing Council on a hairdressing museum of the Guild collection of trophies and memorabilia.

Richard Clark

Former Chair of the Hairdressing Council and Master of the Guild of Hairdressers.
Victoria Taylor-Holmes
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Victoria Taylor-Holmes

Senior Marketing Director, Wella Professionals, committed to elevating professional standards in the hairdressing sector, empowering hairdressers and championing advancement of the industry.

Victoria Taylor-Holmes

Senior Marketing Director

The Hairdressing Council Ambassadors

If you would like to become one of our ambassadors, supporting our aim to raise standards in our industry, please get in touch.

Andrew Barton
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Andrew Barton

One of the most celebrated names in UK hairdressing. UK Creative Ambassador for Keune, Creative Director for Racoon International hair extensions and Honorary Doctor of Arts for services to the hairdressing industry. Passion for training and nurturing with his award-winning ABLE scholarship programme.

Andrew Barton

UK Creative Ambassador for Keune
Rae Elizabeth Palmer
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Rae Elizabeth Palmer

Founder of WELOVE with over 30 years of experience at the forefront of the UK hairdressing industry. Designed the WELOVE Purple Hearts Club leading the way for Master Hair Professionals around the world.

Rae Elizabeth Palmer

Founder of WELOVE

“As leading organisations in the beauty and hair industries respectively, The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and The Hair & Barber Council ... Read more

Lesley Blair

CEO BABTAC & CIBTAC

“We have been a supporter of the Hair and Barber council for over 10 years, as we believe the industry needs structure and protection. It is of the utmost importance that our ... Read more

Elena Lavagni

Neville Hair and Beauty, Belgravia, London

“You will not hear a stronger voice than that of The Hair and Barber Council lobbying to raise standards in the hair industry and to get our hairdressers and barbers the profe... Read more

Julie Winchester

General Manager, Kao Salon Division

“The UK is one of the very few countries, which does not require that hairdressers and barbers are regulated by government in order to protect the public and maintain professi... Read more

Anne Veck

Our Sponsors

Hairdressers, Barbers and Skin Cancer Webinar

Hairdressers, Barbers and Skin Cancer Webinar

We are hosting a webinar alongside charity SKCIN to highlight the role hairdressers and barbers can play in identifying skin cancer. The webinar will be held on Tuesday 21st July at 7pm and will feature:…

Spot Signs of Melanoma and Skin Cancer with MASCED Accreditation

MASCED – A life saving educational accreditation program for the those working in the hairdressing and barbering sectors. The MASCED accreditation (melanoma and skin cancer...

Employment Rights Changes Webinar

Thinking of going self-employed or being told you are? Wondering what’s next? Watch  our Employment Rights Changes webinar where Gareth Penn and Collette Osborne discuss...

Meet With the Low Pay Commission

The Low Pay Commission is gathering at regional events to discuss the impact of higher minimum wage on our sector, and it is calling for...