NEVER MIND THE BARBERS

ALEX BURT AND SAM CAMPAGNA HAVE JOINED FORCES WITH A BLEND OF HUMOUR AND HONESTY

Anyone attending Barber Connect in May won’t have missed the banter and brotherly love when Alex Burt, Sam Campagna and Phil Jarman took to the stage. Not only were they showing their latest techniques and trends for the coming months, but they were genuinely having a great time.

“Barber Connect is like the Glastonbury of barbering - it’s the place to be inspired, reconnect, and see where the industry’s heading. It’s a great weekend,” explains Sam.

Go back seven years when Sam and Alex first met, and collaboration and connection were at the heart of their relationship. “I first met Sam at the Wahl Academy back in 2018. From day one, we got on really well and have stayed in touch ever since, supporting each other as fellow shop owners and friends,” Alex says.

A few years later and a chance meeting with Phil Jarman cemented a flourishing friendship between the trio. “Eventually, all three of us came together through our ambassador roles with Matakki, which really cemented the connection and led to some exciting collaborations. There was a natural rapport, and we’ve built a solid friendship over the years.”

Sam tells us that the biggest foundation their friendship was built on was sharing the same values in the barbering industry. “We all agreed how customer service should be, how you carry yourself in the industry, and the pride you take in your craft. There’s a mutual respect for the tradition and the responsibility that comes with the job, and that’s been the foundation of our connection.”

It is their love of the craft of barbering that was on show on the stage at Barber Connect, where they showcased old-school barbering techniques with a modern mindset. “One of our key goals was to take some of the intimidation out of current cutting trends,” Alex explains. “There’s a lot of pressure out there to follow complex or flashy techniques, but we wanted to show that there are more ergonomic, simplified ways of working that still deliver polished, high-quality results.”

Alex Burt, Phil Jarman and Sam Campagna

Sam adds: “We also spoke about the importance of how you carry yourself as a barber - your attitude, your presence, and the way you approach your craft. It was about encouraging people to think differently, be confident in their own style, and stay true to the values that matter in the shop environment.”

While they are both busy in their barbershops – Sam has a shop in St Albans while Alex runs three Teddy Edwards barbershops in Brighton, Hove and Worthing – they have also teamed up for a brand -new podcast series; Never Mind the Buzzcuts.

“It started as a casual conversation - what if Top Gear met a barbershop? We wanted to blend humour, real talk, and creativity in a way that reflects what actually happens behind the scenes in our industry,” Alex says. The name is also a nod to rebellious energy and not taking themselves too seriously!

The series will be filmed for YouTube with the aim to connect to another generation of barbers. “It’s more than education; it’s storytelling. You’ll see everyone from rising stars to veterans, creatives, clients, and people doing amazing things outside of barbering too. It’s all about perspectives,” Sam shares.

Never Mind the Buzzcuts will be dropping one episode every week, with Phil being one of the first guests. “It’s massively important that barbers from different areas are seen coming together,” Sam adds. “Representation matters, and unity speaks volumes. We wanted to show that collaboration - not competition - is what drives the industry forward. Whether it’s on stage at Barber Connect, or after listening to the podcast, if one barber feels fired up to try something new or think differently, then we did our job.”

The pair acknowledge the industry is going through a transition, but there is also a hunger for authenticity. “The industry is evolving fast - technically, stylistically, and culturally,” Alex observes. “To keep raising the bar, we need more mentorship, more sharing of knowledge, and more honest dialogue about what success really looks like. That means supporting young talent and championing professionalism, not just popularity.”

With clients, shows and podcasts keeping them busy, there’s still room for more for the pair who say 2025 is their busiest yet. “Expect more collabs, live events, and maybe even a few surprises outside the chair!” says Sam. “We’re also working on educational content that breaks away from the usual format - more immersive, more honest, and definitely more fun. Our aim is to keep building the culture, not just the brand. So stay tuned, we want everyone to come along for the ride!”