The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) have appointed a new Chair and Vice-Chair for their board of trustees.
Jenny Sworder is the new Chair, following 7 years as a trustee on the board and also previously being the Vice-Chair. Jenny has extensive experience in the Beauty and Retail Industry (over 20 years) with the likes of Fenwick’s stores, the Fragrance Foundation UK and the Cosmetics Executive Women UK.
She takes over from Professor Dr Chris Laws, who is retiring after 10 dedicated years of voluntary service as both a trustee and Chair to VTCT.
On taking up the new role, Jenny said, “I am delighted to take forward the great work that Chris has done for VTCT, over the past ten years. During this time he has helped to steer VTCT to being the wonderful organisation it is today. I look forward to further building upon this and tackling the new challenges within vocational and technical education, ensuring that learners remain at the heart of what we do as a modern and progressive Awarding Organisation.”
Jenny will be joined by Isabel Sutcliffe, the new Vice-Chair of VTCT. We wish them both the very best of luck in the new roles!
Two words a man never wants to hear – “ Thinning. Receding .” Hair loss (and how to prevent it) remains the number one hair concern for men when it comes to good grooming. While maintaining healthy hair and scalp is known to be an effective way to help prevent irritation and premature hair loss, there are some underlying factors, including genetics, that may need a little boost to overcome.
One such factor related to premature hair loss is 5-Alpha Reductase , a natural enzyme found in the scalp. Testosterone , a hormone naturally produced by the body, reacts with this 5-Alpha Reductase and creates DHT , a hormone proven to contribute to hair loss. DHT suffocates the hair follicle and prevents it from receiving vital nutrients for healthy hair growth.
To combat the production of DHT , Eufora HERO for Men™ (HERO) utilizes their ProAmino Peptide Complex™ , a proprietary blend of antioxidants, oils, acids and fruit extracts. This powerhouse complex effectively creates a barrier wall between the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme and Testosterone , preventing DHT production. ProAmino Peptide Complex™ also stimulates circulation, helping the hair follicle maintain its health. The end result is a thicker root sheath, better anchoring the hair bulb to the scalp to slow follicle aging and help prevent hair loss.
For men concerned about hair loss and looking to upgrade their cleansing game, HERO Brand Manager Doug Smith recommends Complete Shampoo , Revitalizing Treatment and Scalp Rescue™ , all of which contain the ProAmino Peptide Complex™ . The trio is definitely a gift worth investing in if hair loss is of concern, and Eufora makes it easy with their pre-packed HERO Holiday Gift Set that includes all 3 full size products, plus a shave sample, packaged in a beautiful birchwood box…and at a 40% savings to boot! The gift set is available exclusively in Eufora salons or at www.eufora.net , and only while supplies last.
Fortify the benefits of this HERO cleansing routine by choosing a HERO styling product (all styling products contain the “complex” for added wear-in benefits), and the best defense against hair loss is complete. Even if there is no actual “cure” for thinning, getting or gifting the right Eufora HERO for Men™ products can help every well-groomed guy slow the effects of DHT , scalp irritation and hair loss. And, as we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Despite the ongoing pandemic causing many high street businesses to close their doors, MR. Barbers has continued to grow from strength to strength. MR. Barbers new finance package offers existing barbershops a complete rebrand and refurbishment package with no upfront fee and monthly repayments of under £300 per month.
This is creating opportunities for barbershops that are struggling to make headway, to come onboard with the MR. family and start afresh. With ongoing support, a brand-new shop fit including chairs, as well as a website, booking app and marketing and social media presence, they do all the hard work to get your shop the recognition and presence it deserves.
Of course, the virus has had its impact on the brand, but the company has looked to set itself apart from the competition by making it the safest place in each town to get your hair cut. With a strict COVID hygiene policies and staff training in place, every haircut continues to reach the high standards expected with the business, whilst delivering it in a completely safe way.
MR. Barbers have three more shops opening over the next 2 months. Shop number 29, MR. Halesowen is opening its doors on December the 5th, shortly followed by MR. Woodbridge opening on the 7th of December. MR. Huntingdon will follow closely behind opening early in the New Year.
The effects of the pandemic are not just physical, people are struggling, and times are hard. MR. Barbers Halesowen is donating all proceeds from their grand opening on December 12th to the Black Country Foodbank. At a time like this, it is now more important than ever to give back to those in need.
In 2019/20 approximately 1.9 million people have used a foodbank in the United Kingdom, around 300,000 more than the previous year. If this wasn’t enough of a strain, new analytics have forecasted a 61% increase in the use of foodbanks in October to December alone. The pressure on foodbanks is immense. Black Country Foodbank is a local charity to Halesowen that helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis. They provide people with 3 days’ worth of emergency food supplies while a longer solution is developed. This service provides relief and help to those in need at a very difficult time.
IT’S NEARLY OVER! WE CAN SAY GOODBYE TO 2020 WITH THE HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR THE INDUSTRY WILL BE REFRESHED AND IN BETTER SHAPE TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES THAT THE AFTERMATH OF THIS YEAR HAS LEFT US.
With that in mind, you’ve got to make the most of the opportunities this fantastic career has to offer. Tyrik Jackson, an expert in branding and marketing, talks to us about knowing the difference between both sectors and how best to utilize social media for your own benefit. Up for discussion is also nailing down the right look for your shop and whether going for your own brand products is the way forward.
Taking training to a new level of cool, Marcus Harvey talks to us about his Barber Star Summit. Imagine a cabin in the woods with specialized business training to add to those natural creative talents that barbers already have down.
This issue’s Barbershop Focus is visually stunning. The Garrison, in Las Vegas, has newly opened and has devoted the entire central bar area of the shop to stocking the best products in the business, which is a massive income generator for them. Check it out.
We can’t ignore the holiday season, it’s the time of year to get the cash register ringing. There is advice and suggestions on how to end this year on a financial high, ‘cause it’s never too late to start rocking the retail.
The biggest brands in foil shavers open their toolkits and let us see what’s new to the market and what technology is lifting the performance of these essential tools.
Finally, we have dedicated a page to our late friend Sam Wall. We remember Sam in better times with a smile on his face surrounded by his friends and peers. He was a true professional, a master of his craft and an inspiration to his peers. Above all he was a great friend and a true gentleman. The industry lost a good one when Sam left us.
British Master Barbers, the alliance created to help qualified and highly skilled barbers across the UK showcase their talent, has selected and announced their finalists for the 2020 Barber of the Year award. There were 118 entrants, whittled down to a final 10 – and the judges will have a very difficult decision to make!
The finalists are: Allan Stone, Baldy, Corneliu Crihan, David Logue, Grant Hackett, Lee Dixon, Mercedes Paginton, Paul Mac, Sarrelle McCann and Shaun Buckingham.
We wish every finalist the very bets of luck for this prestigious competition!
New businesses who sign up to Schedulicity will get access to all of Schedulicity’s scheduling, marketing, and payment tools FOR FREE until March 1, 2021.
Visit: https://www.schedulicity.com/essentials/ to find out more!
Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer in handheld barbering and grooming tools, has announced the Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer – a long-awaited blend of two customer favorites. Combining the Slimline Pro Li’s sleek, lightweight body with the wider deep-tooth ComfortEdge GTX T-blade from the T-Outliner, the Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer is bringing the best of both tools to barbers across the globe.
“Because of its lightweight design and power, the Slimline Pro Li Trimmer has been one of my absolute favorite tools,” said Andis Global Educator Hayden Cassidy. “Now, adding the option of the wide GTX blade with the larger trimming profile and deep tooth design is really going to excite the barber and stylist communities!”
The Wide GTX blade’s deep-tooth pattern allows more hair to feed faster without sacrificing precision and can also be zero gapped. The wider edge also provides barbers better sightlines to the cutting surface, making it easier to perform precision trimming.
The lithium-ion battery delivers up to 2 hours of run time and can also be used with a cord for zero downtime. The kit includes four attachment combs (1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”), charging adapter, charging stand, blade oil and cleaning brush.
For nearly 100 years, Andis® Company has been a leader and innovator in the barbering industry by manufacturing with quality and remaining responsive to professionals’ needs. The Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer is the next tool in a nearly century-long tradition of engineering excellence.
There is some much-needed light relief to be had with Fudge Professional’s second social media miniseries called ‘In Near the Chair’. The YouTube show is hosted by Fudge Professional Global Brand Ambassador, Jonathan Andrews, and the series was created to explore the relationship between a hairdresser and their client.
“Our first episode with Jamie Laing was a great success and when we launched it at the beginning of lockdown, it went down really well. This episode is continuing the theme about the hairdresser and client relationship and once you sit down in that chair, all caution is out the window, and you end up spilling all your secrets, hopes, fears and dreams to the stylist through the mirror in front of you. This time, I’m cutting the hair of TOWIE legend, Pete Wicks and once again, creating excellent TV watching,” explains Jonathan.
The Fudge Professional series of ‘In the Chair’ is all about putting famous faces in the hot seat and asking the questions the public wants to know the answers to – this time Pete Wicks is the man in the chair. “Pete is renowned for his long hair. He hadn’t had it cut for 10 months and it wasn’t really his crowning glory anymore. It was definitely time to tackle it with the scissors,” continues Jonathan.
Creating that tousled look that Pete wears so well takes a little bit of work using the right products to create the natural style that he loves. This was the perfect time for Jonathan to explain to Pete exactly how to use Fudge Professional products in the right way to keep his hair in great condition and sitting exactly how he likes it both during the day and into the evening.
The 20-minute filmed interview was shot in Covid secure conditions that meant not only did the guys don full PPE (Pete was not chuffed with the hazmat suit), but Pete was encouraged to style his own hair using Fudge Professional products. The interview is brilliant viewing with lots of focus on Pete’s serial dating love life, a nod to his new knee-high cowboy boots, his number one fan (spoiler alert… it’s his Mum) how his long hair was a fingers up to those telling him his hair was receding, and that social media haters don’t phase him one bit.
As part of the new ‘Fudge the Rules’ brand ethos, where whatever the world does, Fudge does differently, Pete certainly steps up to the plate with his chequered past and workaholic mindset. “Pete was so easy to chat to, and it was great he was up for a real hair change. I took off six inches and it took him back to his early days on TOWIE, even he admitted the health and feel of his hair was so much better. He dubbed it Preppy Pete! Due to social distancing and filming, plus Pete’s admittance he has no clue how to style his hair, I decided to get Pete to do his own styling, so he knew how to do it at home. We worked with his favourite Fudge Professional Salt Spray and I also introduced him to the new Fudge Professional Matte Hed Mouldable to work with his natural curls and texture,” says Jonathan.
The last word went to Pete in the video: “I’ll be honest, when I came in this morning, I wasn’t feeling too chirpy. I didn’t really trust you (Jonathan) and then you put me in a hazmat suit! It was all looking like a car crash. I’m now sitting here, and I’ve got the perfect hair, using the perfect product, with the perfect hairdresser.” You can’t ask for more than that.
In what was an fiercely competitive competition, for both Wahl British Barber and Wahl British Barbershop of the Year, the two winners were announced live on Instagram at 4pm on Thursday 26th November.
Owner of Amigos Barbers, Kilian Maddison took home the Wahl British Barber of the Year 2020 crown, holding off the challenge from such industry icons like Luka Chitty, Kyle Rowland, Dale Hince, Guray Kesman and Shaun Buckingham.
The Wahl British Barbershop of the Year 2020 award was also fiercely contested, with brilliant entries from Ruffians (2x former winners), Avanzato Grooming Lounge, Biberian Gray, Cutters Yard and RW Wolf. But the legendary Andy’s Barbers Bicester took home the gold!
In what was a first for the competition, the winners were announced LIVE on Instagram (allowing for the present restrictions of course) – and both Kilian and Andy were able to join host Simon Shaw and discuss their incredible victories.
Congratulations to the winners from all at BarberEVO!
Further to the recent closures and restrictions placed upon close contact service businesses such as barbershops and salons in England, it has been confirmed this week that Barbershops and Salons can reopen on Wednesday 2nd December.
There was an element of confusion however with the announcement, as originally the date for reopening was slated as being on Thursday 3rd December.
Further good news for Barbershops and Salons in England follows, in that, regardless of what ‘Tier’ a specific region in England is placed within, they will remain open throughout.
As previously, Covid-secure guidelines must be adhered to by all close contact service businesses.
We wish all Barbershop and Salon owners the very best of luck in reopening next week!
