Hair Council

What Hair Council does

Hair Council (legal name: The Hairdressing Council) is a non-profit professional membership organisation established by Act of Parliament in 1964 as the sole statutory authority in Great Britain empowered to confer the State Registered Hairdresser (SRH) and State Registered Barber (SRB) titles. It operates a voluntary public register of qualified professionals, provides an annual membership programme, and runs the Master Craftsman certification for senior practitioners with at least two years of registration. The organisation also administers the MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) accreditation programme in partnership with skin cancer charity SKCIN, a legal and HR helpline for members, and CPD webinars covering employment law, VAT, allergy awareness, and industry policy. It serves a long-tail of UK-based individual hairdressers, barbers, salon owners, trainees (free membership), and freelance/mobile professionals, with secondary reach into training academies and major salon groups (Francesco Group, Kao Salon Division, Neville Hair and Beauty).

Its core "products" are professional credentials and a public-facing online register searchable by postcode, name, or salon, complemented by a passive digital infrastructure (website, member login, YouTube webinar archive, directory at haircouncil.org.uk/find-a-salon). The membership business is structured in tiers at £75/year for qualified professionals, £55/year for graduates and associates, free for trainees, with a £10 Master Craftsman secondary certificate, plus the £25-30 MASCED accreditation course. Revenue is supplemented by merchandise sales and a sponsorship programme spanning 15+ industry brands (Wella, L'Oreal Professionnel, Kao, Aveda, Schwarzkopf, Bumble and bumble, City & Guilds, Good Salon Guide, RLK Solicitors, Peninsula HR, among others).

Strategically, the Hair Council pursues a single long-running advocacy objective: converting the UK hairdressing and barbering industry's voluntary registration regime into a mandatory statutory scheme. It pursues this via the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, written evidence to select committees (Business & Trade), public protests (most recently 500+ professionals at the House of Commons on 17 March 2025), and coalition efforts such as The British Hair and Beauty Collective (2021). Operating from a virtual headquarters in Braishfield, Hampshire and a registered office in London, the organisation runs a lean operation of 1-10 employees and is led by Registrar & CEO Keith Conniford, Chief Policy Officer Collette Osborne, and Chair Jayne Lewis-Orr (appointed January 2026). Approximately 10% of UK hairdressers are currently on the voluntary register, signalling substantial addressable upside if mandatory regulation is achieved.

Name

Hair Council

Legal name

The Hairdressing Council

Website

https://haircouncil.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hair Council is the statutory UK membership body, established by Act of Parliament in 1964, that registers hairdressers and barbers as State Registered professionals and advocates for mandatory regulation of the £6.6 billion UK industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Haircutting & Styling Services (HSALAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ethnic & Specialty Hair Barbering (e.g., fades/afro-textured) (HSALABAE), Women's Hair Salons (HSALAAAA)

Keywords

• Professional hairdressing register
• State registered barbers
• Hairdressing industry advocacy
• Beauty accreditation programmes
• Salon professional recognition

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide the primary revenue stream. Professional registration costs £75 per year, with reduced rates of £55 per year for Graduate or Associate members. Trainees can join free of charge. These fees fund the Council's advocacy, regulatory efforts, and operational activities.
2. MASCED Accreditation Training: Revenue generated from the MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) online accreditation course priced at £25 per learner, with 25% discount available for Hair Council members bringing the cost to approximately £20.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Hair Council branded merchandise through the website.
4. Sponsorship: Funding from industry sponsors including Wella, City & Guilds, L'Oreal Professionnel, Kao Salon Division, Aston and Fincher, TrichoCare, Sentio Salons, Colourstart, We Love Salons, Good Salon Guide, Schwarzkopf, FG Apprenticeships, Bumble and bumble, Aveda, RLK Solicitors, Peninsula HR, and others.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Hair Council operates a voluntary State Registered Professional Register and membership programme for hairdressers, barbers, and salon owners in Great Britain, granting SRH/SRB designations. It also delivers member benefits including the MASCED skin cancer accreditation, Master Craftsman certification, CPD webinars, and a legal/HR helpline, while lobbying government through the APPG for mandatory industry registration.

Product overview

Hair Council operates as a unified platform consisting of a voluntary professional register for hairdressers and barbers, annual membership program, and member resources. The core offering is the State Registered Professional Register, which allows consumers to find vetted professionals. The membership program (at £75/year for individual, £55/year for graduates, free for trainees) provides official recognition, certificates, access to exclusive partner offers, webinars, and CPD education. Additional modules include the MASCED skin cancer detection accreditation, Master Craftsman program, Legal/HR helpline, and allergy testing guidance. The organization lobbies government for mandatory industry regulation and represents professionals at parliamentary level.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Membership (State Registered Register) Annual subscription membership for qualified hairdressers and barbers in Great Britain, granting the State Registered Hairdresser (SRH) or State Registered Barber (SRB) designation, an official certificate, listing on the public UK register, access to exclusive partner offers, webinars, and resources. Priced at £75/year (standard), £55/year (Graduate/Associate), and free for Trainees.
• MASCED Accreditation Programme Standalone online accreditation course (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) for hairdressers, barbers, and beauticians, teaching early identification of suspicious skin lesions and appropriate client referral. Priced at £25 for Hair Council members (with code HAIRCOUNCIL) and £30 for non-members. Delivered via the masced.uk platform in partnership with SKCIN.
• Master Craftsman Certification Senior industry credential awarded to State Registered hairdressers or barbers with at least two years of registration and demonstrated management or teaching experience, recognising advanced skills, knowledge, and qualifications.
• Hair Council Branded Merchandise Sale of branded Hair Council merchandise via the organisation's website as a transactional revenue stream.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 14,000 MASCED accreditations completed with 98% 5-star review rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and minor.

• WELOVE Purple HeartssecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 February 2025Partnership to promote mandatory registration of all UK hair professionals and highlight the importance of continuous education through CPD. WELOVE is a platform serving the hair industry.
• RLK SolicitorssecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2023New sponsor bringing legal expertise to members. RLK Solicitors fought the corner of businesses refused cover for COVID-19 losses by insurers, helping salons recover tens of thousands of pounds. They provide a legal helpline for members and support business interruption insurance claims.
• The British Hair and Beauty CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2021Newly formed collective bringing together hairdressers, barbers, beauty professionals, salons, and industry businesses under one unified voice. Applications are open with no membership fees. Led by Collette Osborne (Salon Owners United) and Keith Conniford (Hair & Barber Council) to talk to Government directly as one collective voice.
• SKCIN (Skin Cancer Charity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with national skin cancer charity SKCIN to deliver the MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) accreditation programme to hair professionals. The Council hosts webinars and promotes the training course, with over 14,000 learners having completed the programme. Members receive 25% discount on training costs. This is a life-saving educational initiative that trains hairdressers and barbers to identify suspicious lesions and potentially save lives through early detection.
• Sentio Salons (Insurance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Sentio Salons insurance services designed specifically for the hair sector. Sentio advocates regulation of the sector and recognizes salon owners as true professionals. They offer insurance products to Council members through the members area. Sentio also provides a Vendors Extension insurance policy for Colourstart users.
• BABTAC & CIBTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing alliance with BABTAC and CIBTAC based on shared values and objectives. Organizations collaborate on important projects and pool resources for the good of the industry. BABTAC CEO Lesley Blair has testified to the Council's professional work.
• HBSA (Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued support from HBSA working together for the future development and benefit of the hair, barber, and beauty industry. Both organizations are engaged in quality training, standards, and perception of the industry as professionals.
• Peninsula HRsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR support organization committed to the Hair and Barber Council and the need to get the industry finally regulated. Provides specialist business support services to members alongside RLK Solicitors.
• Salon SuppliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate supporter of the Hair & Barber Council. Both organizations work together for the future development of the industry with shared ethos on quality training and standards.
• Estée Lauder CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstée Lauder Companies, Aveda UK&I, and Bumble & bumble UK&I support their UK salon partners by transferring Apprenticeship Levy funds to cover the cost of apprenticeship training. This demonstrates commitment to investing in professional haircare skills and future talent in the sector.
• Lions Barber CollectivesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collection of top barbers helping raise awareness for the prevention of suicide. They offer free mental health and suicide awareness training to hair professionals through their local Mental Health campaign. The Council promotes their training to members.
• Colourstart / TrichoCare DiagnosticscoreTechnology or IntegrationColourstart is the only professional allergy screening clinically proven to test for allergy to hair colour, licensed by the MHRA. The Council supports the Colourstart testing protocol as the gold standard for skin testing. TrichoCare Education also provides free allergy awareness CPD education to members.
• VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarket-leading hair and beauty Awarding Organisation. VTCT is becoming the first to make black hair and skin part of their core curriculum. They won the T Level bid with NCFE to design the Technical Qualification in Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics.
• Crisis at ChristmasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Council supports Crisis at Christmas by promoting volunteer opportunities for hair professionals to provide salon services to people facing homelessness during the Christmas period. Members can sign up for shifts at various London centres.
• Good Salon GuidesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGood Salon Guide is a founding sponsor and supporter of the Hair Council. Gareth Penn from Good Salon Guide has been instrumental in organizing VAT campaigns and days of action for the industry. Good Salon Guide advocates for mandatory state registration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• City & Guilds: Major UK vocational qualifications body offering certifications across many industries including hairdressing. Broad incumbent because it offers competing industry-recognized credentials at much greater scale, although it does not focus exclusively on hairdressing registration.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): UK membership organization providing advocacy, HR support, and legal services to small businesses broadly. Broad incumbent because it competes for the salon-owner segment with overlapping HR, legal, and lobbying services, although it is not sector-specific.

Emerging players

• VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust): UK Awarding Organisation specializing in hair, beauty and aesthetics vocational qualifications, including pioneering curriculum work on black hair and skin. Emerging player because it operates in the adjacent training and certification space and could compete with the Council's MASCED and Master Craftsman programmes.
• SKCIN (Skin Cancer Charity): UK charity developing the MASCED training programme for hair and beauty professionals in partnership with the Hair Council. Emerging player because it operates the underlying CPD content platform (masced.uk) that the Council distributes, presenting both partnership and competitive dynamic in the training accreditation space.
• Lions Barber Collective: International collection of barbers providing free mental health and suicide awareness training to hair professionals. Emerging player because it operates in the adjacent CPD/training category and is promoted through the Council, representing both a partner and a potential competitor for member engagement time.

Direct peers

• British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC & CIBTAC): UK membership organization for beauty therapy and cosmetology professionals, operating in the same personal-care professional body space as the Hair Council and serving as a long-standing alliance partner. Direct peer because both organizations provide voluntary registration, advocacy, and member benefits to personal-care professionals in Great Britain.
• Hairdressing and Beauty Suppliers Association (HBSA): UK trade association for hair and beauty product suppliers and distributors. Direct peer because it represents adjacent stakeholders in the same UK hairdressing ecosystem and collaborates on industry standards and training.
• Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists: UK membership body offering insurance, training, and certification for beauty therapists and holistic practitioners. Direct peer because it operates a voluntary registration and member benefits model in the same UK personal-care professional space.
• National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF): UK trade association representing hair and beauty salon owners, providing legal advice, business support, and advocacy for the sector. Direct peer because it competes for the same member audience (salon-based hair and beauty professionals) with overlapping advocacy and support services.

Regional players

• UK Spa Association: UK trade association representing spa and wellness operators with overlapping membership services and advocacy. Regional player because it serves a related but distinct (spa/wellness) segment of the personal-care industry in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hairbarbcouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/HairAndBarberCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hair-and-barber-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Hair Council