The Fellowship Focus
Welcome to our regular Fellowship column, where we discover everything new and exciting in the world of the Fellowship of British Hairdressing!
Fellowship Announces New Executive Board Members
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing is unveiling their next phase of development, welcoming three new members on to their Executive Board. Under the guidance of CEO, Barry Stephens and President, Ashleigh Hodges, the past few years has seen incredible growth for the Fellowship, celebrating their highest membership to date, opening two new Centres of Excellence, and continuing to provide the industry with educational opportunities for their members in the shape of Hair & Vision events and the new Creative Xchange localised presentations.
The new Fellowship Executive Board members are:
- Chris Foster, Head of Technology
- Marnie Williams, Head of Further Education & Centres of Excellence
- Marcus Allen, Head of Business
Chris Foster is an internationally recognised, multi-award-winning barber with a career that spans the worlds of grooming, fashion, education, and digital innovation. Chris joins the Fellowship Executive Board as the Head of Technology. His role will explore how technology is shaping the industry and how to keep the Fellowship’s members informed on all things related to technology.
Marcus Allen is an internationally experienced Salon Management Professional and Educator, offering a proven track record of maximising profits and consistent growth in high end salons and businesses. Marcus joins the Fellowship Executive Board as the Head of Business, where he will facilitate the best practices, innovation, new technology, and business tools to hairdressers, salon owners, and educators – strengthening the industry with a greater understanding and foundation.
Marnie Williams is the Head of Hair and Beauty at West Suffolk College with over 42 years’ experience in the hairdressing industry – starting out as a stylist in the best Dublin salons, then working for L’Oreal as a Technical Consultant, ultimately becoming an educator in both the private and public sector. West Suffolk College is a 3 Star Fellowship Centre of Excellence, which was awarded for the achievements of their students and the opportunities that the college has created for their students. Marnie joins the Fellowship Executive Board as the Head of Education and Centres of Excellence, aiming to help bridge the gap between education and employment, whilst giving the next generation the support and preparation for succeeding in to industry.
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s CEO, Barry Stephens, comments, “As the Fellowship moves towards its 80th Anniversary, and the industry continues to shift on its axis, we are delighted to have three new dynamic members joining us on the Executive Board. The plans we are putting in place today will benefit the whole industry of the future, both creatively and commercially. These new positions will help us gather and analyse business critical data, as well as attracting “Best in Class” Business, Technologyand Education Partners for the direct benefit of our members and the wider hairdressing community”.
Fellowship Hair & Vision Presents: ‘FOR EVERY YOU’ in partnership with Schwarzkopf
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Hair & Vision invited Schwarzkopf Professional to take to the stage to showcase their latest initiative, ‘FOR EVERY YOU’, designed to empower and inspire hairdressers at every level. Attendees were welcomed for an unforgettable night of showstopping presentations from Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassadors Nick Irwin and Suzie McGill, who demonstrated their expertise and creative vision at HOST in Manchester.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Ashleigh Hodges, President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. Ashleigh welcomed Kay Brady, Head of Education & Events UK & IRE Henkel Beautycare Professional, who introduced the brand to the audience, setting the stage for an informative evening – which would focus on Schwarzkopf’s latest initiative, ‘FOR EVERY YOU’.
‘FOR EVERY YOU’ is Schwarzkopf Professional’s unifying message that champions every hairdresser at each stage of their career. Whether it’s through in-salon support, online resources, cutting-edge education, or creative inspiration, Schwarzkopf Professional is committed to helping hairdressers shape their unique hair story while celebrating individuality and self-expression.
The event kicked off with an inspiring presentation by Schwarzkopf Professional Global Ambassador, Nick Irwin. Nick introduced HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPF PRO – a thoughtfully curated collection celebrating modern hair culture and craftsmanship. As a key creative force behind this project, Nick played a pivotal role in shaping its vision alongside Schwarzkopf Professional. Nick delved into the brand’s extensive education offerings, giving insight into how stylists can continuously evolve their skills whilst working through a live model demonstration.
Afterwards, Suzie McGill, Schwarzkopf Professional UK Ambassador, joined Nick Irwin on stage to share her in-depth knowledge of the IGORA ROYAL colour range, offering valuable insights, expert tips, and must-know techniques. Suzie is an industry-leading colourist and true expert in her field. Suzie showcased a stunning on-stage transformation, talking the audience through the colour application process and highlighting the limitless possibilities of IGORA ROYAL in creating exceptional hair colour results.
Suzie McGill, Schwarzkopf Professional UK Ambassador and Artistic Director for Rainbow Room International said, “I’m absolutely honoured to be a part of the Fellowship community – what an incredible event in collaboration with Schwarzkopf Professional. The Fellowship Hair & Vision events are an amazing opportunity to bridge the gap between brands and stylists – giving them the chance to connect, collaborate and network with like-minded individuals and the brands themselves! These events are crucial for the growth and development and of the hairdressing industry, acting as a mechanism for sharing ideas and nurturing the future generations of stylists. Every day is a school day!”
