NEWS

THE MODERN BARBER AWARDS 2024 FINALISTS REVEALED

Modern Barber is excited to announce the finalists for this years’ Modern Barber Awards 2024. Once again, we received a record number of entries, and the judges were blown away by the quality of work. Head to modernbarber.co.uk to see the full list of finalists and don’t forget to secure your tickets at modernbarberawards.co.uk for the awards evening on Sunday 23 June at Telford International Centre.

BARBER SCALES KILIMANJARO FOR HOMELESS CHARITY

Andis ambassador Daniel Rymer, has scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro and raised £100,000 for homeless charity, Caring in Bristol. Sharing his experience, Daniel commented: “I wanted to achieve something positive, challenge myself to do something I’d never done before, and raise money for people dealing with homelessness and hopelessness. I decided to raise money for Caring in Bristol – a local charity whose vision is to create a city that’s empowered to solve homelessness as, despite everything, I felt I could do more for disadvantaged people. This is when Andis stepped in to offer their support.” Andis supported with warm weather gear and tools that helped Daniel to work throughout the trip – including on the mountain itself.

SPRING BUDGET 2024 ANNOUNCES VAT THRESHOLD INCREASE

On 6 March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the Spring Budget in the House of Commons. The announcement included a VAT registration threshold increase, a cut to national insurance by 2p, and an extension on the government loan scheme for small businesses. The industry’s response was mixed in its reaction. Caroline Larrisey, Chief Executive, National Hair & Beauty Federation said: “We’re pleased...with the raising of the VAT threshold, taking into account inflation. However, there’s more to do. We welcome further discussions with HM Treasury around future VAT reform to ensure a fairer system and to help level the playing field in the hair and beauty sector, including options for reduced rates and tiered rates around the threshold.” She continued: “However, the silence was deafening on support for apprentices. National Insurance (NI) cuts will benefit the selfemployed but where is the support for employers?” Toby Dicker, one of the founders of the Salon Employers Association said: “My personal take on it would be that it’s a cynical, vote-winning exercise with no real substance; they are so out of touch with what SMEs in this country need and I fear that it could be the end of Apprenticeships in our sector. PAYE, VAT-paying salons are now at such a commercial disadvantage and apprenticeships are so costly that many will no longer employ apprentices at all.”

CLAIRE DAVENPORT APPOINTED CEO OF TREATWELL

Treatwell has announced Claire Davenport as its new CEO. “I am thrilled to be joining Treatwell at this pivotal moment,” said Claire. “The opportunity to make beauty services more accessible and convenient for people, and support salons’ prosperity, aligns with my drive to simplify and streamline everyday life – for both consumers and businesses – through the power of technology.”

RECOVERY OF HAIR SECTOR HAS BEEN SLOW AND STEADY, SAYS NHBF

Released in February 2024, the latest quarterly State of the Industry Survey from the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) shows that the recovery of the sector has been slow and steady through 2023 and into January 2024. Resilient sector businesses are still under pressure from sticky inflation, high winter energy costs, rising wage costs in April 2024 and the lack of availability of experienced staff to grow their businesses. NHBF Chief Executive, Caroline Larissey, says: “The sector recovery is slow, but of most concern is the dip in businesses intending to take on staff and apprentices, as we rely on a pipeline of young talent entering our sector. Ahead of the Spring Budget on 6 March, we are calling on the government for further targeted sector support in the form of VAT reform (either reducing the rate, raising the threshold or tiered rates) and further support to employers through apprenticeship incentives. With this support we are positive that our sector will continue to demonstrate resilience and the ability to weather the storm.”

£46BN That’s how much the UK hair and beauty industry revenue is projected to reach by 2029 according to data from IBISWorld, analysed by Vagaro.

ENTRIES FOR SNAP! 2024 ARE NOW OPEN

Salon International’s photographic SNAP! Awards, is returning this year giving all barbers and hairdressers, of any skill level, anywhere in the world, the chance to submit just one picture of their best work. All entrants need to do is take a single image on their phone and upload at hji.co.uk/snap-competition before Friday 14 June. There are six SNAP! categories to choose from: Barbering, Bridal, Colour, Commercial, Creative and Texture. The winner of each category will receive a trophy, be featured in Hairdressers Journal International, have the opportunity to work on the HJ Academy Stage at Salon International 2025 and a complimentary ticket to the British Hairdressing Awards 2024.