Andrew barton's diary

Ever wondered what the 2006 British Hairdresser of the Year gets up to in a typical week? Wonder no more. Here Andrew Barton gives us a daily run-down. Monday Much of my time is spent on the road presenting educational style seminars. This Monday I had a day chained to my desk working with the Saks admin team planning all the schedules, agendas and facilities required for the coming months. Each man is only as good as his team and I appreciate mine every single day. Tuesday I often feel my job is all about meetings, meetings about other meetings and meetings about the previous meetings. So, you've guessed it, meetings today. From a day of note taking and brain scratching I shoot off to do Penny Lancaster's hair. She and Rod are in town and she's got a big function to attend. Her gorgeous mane of hair is a pleasure to work with and I know she'll be the bell of the ball, she's a stunner. Wednesday An early start on the train down to Bristol. We've opened yet another new salon and the team are raring to go and deliver after spending time in the Saks London Academies. Thursday It was Bristol yesterday and Norwich today. The glamour! I swear I could write a book on the nation's railways. Shame I'm not a trainspotter. I'm really excited to see the new Saks salon. We've been on the hunt for the right premises in this cool city for a few years and it's perfect - over three floors and a team who will charm the knickers off Norwich! It's made my week. Friday It's my biggest day of the week. From 9 - 9 I work with clients in the salon and despite all the varied fun of the week, being with clients has to be the favourite part of my job. I leave the salon exhausted and ready for at least one, oh go on then, four glasses of wine. The salon is literally around the corner from the infamous IVY so without having to think where I want to go or what I want to eat, I have the same table most Fridays and believe it or not order the same food....my mind is blown after blow-drying all day in the salon. Saturday I spend the day working on new ideas for a shoot that I'm involved with for L'Oréal Professionnel. I work with the L'Oréal marketing team regularly creating some of the imagery for their legendary campaigns. When you work with people for a while you really get a deep understanding of what they need. Monday London does look fabulous before the morning rush and as dawn breaks (it's 5.00am), I'm on my way to Heathrow for a 7.00am flight to Belfast. I meet the Northern Irish Hairdresser of The Year, Noel Burns, and work with his team at his salon in Belfast Zuni. The day ends with me flying back to London. Not before being fast-tracked and jumping the queue at security because the security officers recognise me from the telly and ask for an autograph. Then the taxi driver says "You can have the fare for free if you do my girlfriend's hair. She thinks you're fab!" Anything for a free ride. Tuesday In the studio today shooting for L'Oréal. I'm with Tracey and Adam from the Saks Art team who transform a model's boring highlighted hair into a glorious mane of golden blonde. I have a chat to Jayne Lewis-Orr, Editor-In-Chief of Hairdressers Journal about ideas that we have to raise funds for HABB. Since being crowned British Hairdresser of the Year, I've pledged my support for the charity to raise money and awareness for this worthy cause. Please check out the competition we're running on www.saks.co.uk to win a day with me all for a £2 donation. Wednesday I do love the diversity of my job and particularly enjoy teaching or let's call it sharing. For a few years now I've been working with the Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation. Today I'm working with members in our Northern Academies where a one-day course simply called Creative Cutting is being presented for their members. Thursday Much of the work that I do is related to our PR strategy and meeting press is an important and regular call for me. I spend the day with our Saks PR drinking tea and eating cakes with some of the UK's major glossy mags. It's a fun day which will hopefully lead to plenty of Saks copy in the coming months. Friday I've got a backlog of clients trying to get appointments. Unbelievably my next appointment is in September! It seemed like a good idea at the time and I agree to take earlier appointments at 7 and 8am. I must be mad! But I can't say no to clients who've been loyal to me for many years! It's a cool day and I'm excited to spend the evening with dear friends Maurice and Rosemary Meade who I worked for many years ago in Australia. They're in the UK on a recruitment drive for their salons in Perth and we have a lovely dinner at the Ivy of course catching up on each others gossip.