Bill shaw mbe for championing hairdressing has sadly passed away

Bill Shaw MBE who has spent over 50 years championing the hairdressing industry and was awarded an MBE for his services to the sector by the Queen in 2012, has sadly passed away. The Yorkshire businessman was the chairman and founder of Dimensions, the largest independent hairdressing company in Yorkshire. He was the longest serving director of HABIA and chair of the Hair and Barber Council. Over the years he also gave much of his time to helping the Hairdressing Training Board and The Guild of Professional Hairdressers.

Hair industry share tributes for Bill Shaw MBE who has sadly passed away

Hair and Barber Council CEO Keith Conniford was deeply saddened by the news. Keith said:

I have known Bill for over 30 years, and totally respected him – not just as a man and a friend, but as a powerful advocate for the hair and barber industry. As a training provider, Bill was so passionate about the training and education of entrants to our incredible industry and much of his professional life was given to this.

Keith added: "Not only has he been a tower of strength to me and the Hair and Barber Council, but he has always been there to support and guide the decisions that were made, together with his total dedication to finally supporting us in getting the industry regulated to ensure the professional status of the sector for the future. Bill was a very special man, a man I could always trust and whose advice I always respected. He worked tirelessly for the industry and our industry will be worse off without him. I will never forget Bill, someone very special to our industry whose values to do things right will always resinate with me. HJ's executive director Jayne Lewis-Orr was also deeply saddened by the news. Jayne said:

I had the pleasure of working with Bill on the Hair and Barber Council and his commitment and dedication to the industry was evident for all to see. He was a great advocate for the profession and worked tirelessly to raise standards of education within the craft. I shall very much miss him and the passion he brought to the meetings. My love and thoughts are with Bernadette and Bill’s family at this difficult time.

De Barry Blanchard, past master and fellow of the guild said:

I was very sad to hear of Bill's death, whom I am proud to have known for the past 50 years and call a friend. Bill was patron and past master and fellow of the guild. A lovely man who will be missed greatly by all that knew him. May he rest in peace. Our Condolences to Bernadette and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

HJ’s thoughts are with Bill's wife, friends, family and colleagues at this incredibly sad time. Please contact HJ if you would like to share a personal tribute for Bill.