3 mins
NEWS
MEN’S HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED AT THE BRITISH HAIRDRESSING AWARDS 2024
On 25 November 2024 the winners of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, were crowned at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. Along with British Hairdresser of the Year, the awards celebrated 10 regional categories and eight specialist categories, including Men’s Hairdresser of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Luchmun, Luchmun Studios. Accepting his award on stage, Kevin told the audience: “I’m feeling great because there’s so much creativity in this room. Massive love to all the finalists for Men’s Hairdresser of the Year; I’m here to support all of the barbers and men’s hairdressers in this room.”
CHANCELLOR RACHEL REEVES ANNOUNCES AUTUMN BUDGET
On 30 October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Autumn Budget in the House of Commons. Amongst the changes was an increase in minimum wage which is set to rise to £12.21 per hour from April 2025 for workers over 21. Reeves also committed to not raising National Insurance rates for employees, however the freeze does not apply to employers whose National Insurance contributions will rise from 13.8% to 15%. Head to modernbarber.co.uk to see the full breakdown.
DENMAN PARTICIPATES IN GREAT BRITISH BEACH CLEAN
On 27 September a team of volunteers from Denman Head Office in Bangor, Northern Ireland spent an afternoon litter picking at Crawfordsburn Beach in support of the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean event. This annual event encourages groups and communities to do their bit to keep the UK’s beaches clean and prevent rubbish entering our seas. “We take great pride in our CSR activities and I am so proud of the staff who frequently take time to get involved with environmental and charitable causes,” Kevin McNamee, CEO Denman International.
ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR THE MODERN BARBER AWARDS 2025
The Modern Barber Awards are back for 2025 – and entries are now open. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a rising star, entering the Modern Barber Awards is your chance to showcase your talent, gain industry recognition and join the ranks of top barbers. This year the Modern Barber Awards will be taking place on Sunday 18 May 2025 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. With ten categories to choose from, there’s something for everyone; head to modernbarber.co.uk/modern-barber-awards to view the full list of categories and start your entry. Entries close 5pm on February 21 2025.
PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY GROUP LAUNCHES #SUPPORTOURSALONS CAMPAIGN
Modern Barber has seen how the Autumn 2024 Budget has affected barbers and the personal services sector – from the increase in National Insurance Contributions, to the impact the Budget will have on apprenticeships. Surveys suggest that some barbershops will be forced to close, while others will cut back staff and apprenticeships – which will have a long-term effect on our industry. The measure will drive business underground, with people potentially using selfemployment contracts which will have a negative effect on HMRC’s revenue. With that in mind we are launching the #SupportOurSalons campaign, alongside our sister publication Hairdressers Journal International (HJ), dedicated to sharing your stories, as well as reporting on any changes to legislation. We’re inviting you to join our campaign to get your voice heard. To help you get started, we’ve even drafted an email for you to adapt. Head to modernbarber.co.uk to find out more information.
CHANGES TO UK TIPPING LAWS NOW IN EFFECT
Workers will now keep 100% of their tips, gratuities and service charges following a new act which came into force on 1 October 2024. The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, referred to as the Tipping Act, makes it unlawful for employers to withhold tips from workers. The Tipping Act received Royal Assent in May 2023, and states that businesses will no longer be able to keep tips from their staff and will be required to make sure that all employees receive their tips in full - with very few exceptions where this does not apply.
5,791
THAT’S THE NUMBER OF BARBERSHOPS THAT HAVE OPENED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NATIONAL HAIR & BEAUTY FEDERATION (NHBF) BULLETIN.