HBSA

What HBSA does

HBSA (The Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association Ltd) is a UK private trade association founded in 1927 that represents manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, wig suppliers, publishers, and event managers serving the professional hair and beauty industry. The association is governed by its member companies and managed operationally by General Manager Mike Patey from registered offices in Hove, East Sussex (with a contact address in Brighton). It claims the role of the recognized industry voice for suppliers and explicitly requires members to serve the professional hairdressing and/or beauty market.

The core offering is a three-tier membership structure: Full Membership at £480/year (incl. VAT) for general suppliers, Wig Supplier Membership at £396/year for wig and hair-replacement specialists, and Corporate Membership at £900/year for larger organizations. Members receive a stacked benefits portfolio that includes an NHS Supply Chain framework gatekeeper role for wig suppliers, exhibition discounts at Salon International and Professional Beauty, a free Croner Consulting business helpline covering employment law and H&S, contract consulting discounts via BEB Consultancy, bookkeeping discounts via Fred Bookkeeping, networking events (AGM weekend, Summer Party, exhibition receptions), information webinars on EU regulation, Brexit compliance, and international trade, plus a public directory listing. Revenue is generated solely through these recurring annual membership fees; the technology footprint is a content website with no proprietary platform, app, API, or AI components.

The association operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market motion (online join form, phone inquiries, email), supplemented by presence at Salon International, Professional Beauty, and Cosmoprof Bologna, and active lobbying in coordination with the Department for Business and Trade. Strategic partnerships with NHS Supply Chain, Croner Consulting, BEB Consultancy, Fred Bookkeeping, Salon International, Professional Beauty, Cosmoprof Bologna, the Hair & Beauty Charity, and DBT form the operational backbone of member value. No funding rounds, M&A activity, or ownership changes are indicated; the entity is independently member-governed.

Name

HBSA

Legal name

The Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association Ltd

Website

https://hbsa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HBSA is a UK trade association founded in 1927 that represents manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and wig suppliers serving the professional hair and beauty industry through tiered annual memberships and lobbying, networking, and partner-benefit services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hooe

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: HBSA generates revenue through annual membership fees at three tiers: Full Membership (£400 + VAT), Wig Supplier Membership (£330 + VAT), and Corporate Membership (£750 + VAT). Membership runs January 1st to December 31st with pro-rata fees for mid-year joiners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HBSA is a UK trade association that sells annual memberships to suppliers serving the professional hair and beauty industry. Members include manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, wig suppliers, publishers, and event managers who receive networking events, regulatory updates, lobbying representation, exhibition discounts, and access to a free business helpline and partner service discounts in exchange for annual subscription fees.

Product overview

HBSA is a trade association offering membership programs (Full Membership, Wig Supplier Membership, and Corporate Membership) to professional hair and beauty product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, wig-makers, publishers, and industry event managers. The core offering is membership with benefits including networking opportunities, industry news and regulation updates, exhibition discounts, free business helpline (Croner Consulting), contract consulting partnership (BEB Consultancy), and member directory listing. HBSA also organizes events including AGM weekends, Summer Party, and networking at industry exhibitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Membership Standard annual membership for hair and beauty product suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. Provides networking, news, resources, events, regulation updates, HR and legal support, free business helpline, exhibition discounts, and member directory listing. Priced at £400 + VAT per year (£480 total).
• Wig Supplier Membership Specialized annual membership for wig suppliers and hair replacement companies. Provides access to NHS Framework Agreement opportunities and Code of Practice guidelines developed in partnership with NHS Supply Chain. Priced at £330 + VAT per year (£396 total).
• Corporate Membership Premium annual membership tier for larger organizations in the hair and beauty supply industry, including multinational brands. Priced at £750 + VAT per year (£900 total).
• Members Directory Listing Online company listing on the HBSA website including logo and description for member visibility. Provides search and discovery for industry buyers seeking professional hair and beauty suppliers.
• Free Business Helpline (Croner Consulting) Free telephone support line for HBSA members covering employment law, tax and VAT, health and safety, and commercial legal issues, provided in partnership with Croner Consulting.
• Exhibition Discounts at Salon International and Professional Beauty 5% discount on stand space at Salon International and Professional Beauty exhibitions, plus complimentary tickets to Salon International upon request, available to HBSA members.
• HBSA Events and Networking Program Annual program of networking events including Annual General Meeting weekend, Summer Party, drinks receptions and dinner parties at Salon International and Professional Beauty exhibitions, plus information-led webinars on trading challenges and regulatory topics.
• Contract Consulting Partnership (BEB Consultancy) Bespoke business contract consultancy service offering Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages with 10% discount for HBSA members, provided in partnership with BEB Consultancy.
• Fred Bookkeeping Member Offer Bookkeeping, VAT, and payroll service offering 20% discount for the first 6 months on certain plans for HBSA members, provided in partnership with Fred Bookkeeping LLP.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5% discount on stand space at Salon International and Professional Beauty exhibitions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHS Supply ChaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBSA has developed a Code of Practice for wig supplier members in partnership with NHS Supply Chain. All wig suppliers who wish to supply NHS Hospitals and Trusts as part of the official Supply Chain agreement are required to be members of the HBSA. The partnership ensures high standards of service and quality products for NHS patients.
• Croner ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBSA provides a free business helpline with Croner Consulting for members. Croner offers advice on employment law, health and safety, tax and VAT, and commercial legal issues. The helpline number for members is 0844 561 8133.
• BEB ConsultancyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHBSA members receive a 10% discount on BEB Consultancy's fixed-price contract consultancy services (Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages). BEB Consultancy specializes in protecting small businesses with robust contracts.
• Fred Bookkeeping LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHBSA members receive an exclusive 20% discount for the first 6 months on certain bookkeeping, VAT, and payroll plans. Fred Bookkeeping offers accounts, payroll, credit control, and financial reporting services.
• Department for Business and Trade (DBT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBSA collaborates with DBT (formerly DIT) to support UK hair and beauty exporters. The partnership includes webinars on trading with Europe and China, and information about the UK Tradeshow Programme for Cosmoprof Bologna.
• Cosmoprof BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBSA works with Cosmoprof Bologna to provide information and support for UK exhibitors and visitors at the leading global beauty trade show. DIT grants of £2,000 or £4,000 are available for eligible UK SMEs.
• Hair & Beauty CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBSA partners with the Hair & Beauty Charity for annual charity golf days. Proceeds support individuals and families facing difficult times due to illness, bereavement, and financial hardship in the hair and beauty industry.
• Salon InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHBSA members receive a 5% discount on stand space at Salon International, the UK's largest professional hairdressing exhibition. Members also receive two complimentary tickets upon request.
• Professional Beauty ExhibitionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHBSA members receive a 5% discount on stand space at Professional Beauty exhibitions held in the UK and abroad, including London, Dublin, Glasgow, and Manchester.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HABIA (Hair and Beauty Industry Authority): HABIA is the UK standards-setting body for the hair and beauty sector, responsible for National Occupational Standards and qualifications. It is a direct peer given its role as a UK industry-wide membership and advisory organization, with overlapping coverage of regulatory and professional standards.
• NHBF (National Hair & Beauty Federation): The NHBF is the leading UK trade association for hair and beauty salon owners. It is a direct peer to HBSA as both serve the UK professional hair and beauty industry through membership, advocacy, and business support, though HBSA focuses on the supplier side and NHBF on the salon-owner side.
• CTPA (Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association): CTPA is the UK trade association for the cosmetic, toiletry, and perfumery industry. It is a direct peer as both organizations represent beauty industry stakeholders, provide regulatory guidance, and lobby on EU/UK regulation — though CTPA focuses on finished-product brands rather than professional-trade suppliers.
• BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology): BABTAC is a UK membership body for beauty therapists and salons offering insurance, training, and industry representation. It is a direct peer in terms of being a UK trade body serving the professional beauty market, with overlapping member demographics but a practitioner rather than supplier focus.

Emerging players

• CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women): CEW is a US-based professional membership organization for women in the beauty industry, offering networking, education, and recognition programs. It is an emerging/niche peer given its focus on industry representation and member services, though its scope is professional networking rather than trade advocacy.

Regional players

• Independent Beauty Association (IBA): IBA is a US-based trade association representing independent beauty brands and suppliers. It is a regional peer given its analogous membership model and supplier-side focus, but its primary geography is the United States rather than the UK.
• Professional Beauty Association (PBA): PBA is the largest US trade association for the beauty industry, representing manufacturers, distributors, and salon professionals. It is a regional peer given its similar trade-association model and member benefits portfolio, but it operates primarily in North America rather than the UK market HBSA serves.
• AACS (American Association of Cosmetology Schools): AACS is the US trade association for cosmetology and beauty schools, providing accreditation, advocacy, and member services. It is a regional peer as it serves the professional beauty industry through an association model with regulatory representation, but focuses on education rather than product supply.
• Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association of South Africa (CTPA SA): CTPA SA is the South African trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry. It is a regional peer given its analogous trade-association model serving beauty product suppliers and providing regulatory advocacy in its domestic market.
• Intercoiffure Mondial: Intercoiffure is an international federation of leading hairdressing salons and industry partners. It is a regional peer given its trade-body model and presence across multiple geographies, but it primarily represents elite salon owners globally rather than the UK supplier community HBSA serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hbsa
• Facebookfacebook.com/hairandbeautyassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbsa-hair-beauty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HBSA