Speakers at the Birmingham Regional Growth Summit 2026
Meet our line-up of speakers who will be sharing their expertise, trends, and strategies shaping the industry
Andrea Simpson
Facialist
Andrea Simpson
Facialist
Andrea Simpson is an award-winning facialist, solopreneur, global educator, author and founder of The Facial Mentor. Renowned for her Autograph Facials blending advanced technology with intuitive Ayurvedic science, she helps professionals elevate pricing, positioning and profitability. A year-long waitlist and industry accolades reflect her expertise in building premium, purpose-driven beauty businesses.
Anita Stubbings
Owner of Body Matters Salon
Anita Stubbings
Owner of Body Matters Salon
Anita Stubbings is a salon owner and experienced skin and beauty therapist with over 30 years in the industry. Since qualifying in 1989, she has specialised in personalised skin treatments and has worked closely with Guinot since 1994, achieving results that have been featured in the brand’s marketing. She is also actively involved in charity work and fundraising.
Heffy Wheeler
Multi-Award-Winning Vivid Colour Specialist | Global Educator | Creative Director at HXHair
Heffy Wheeler
Multi-Award-Winning Vivid Colour Specialist | Global Educator | Creative Director at HXHair
Heffy Wheeler is a UK-based vivid colour specialist and global educator, known for transforming hair into bold self-expression. As the founder and Creative Director of HXHair, she has built a brand that blends creativity, education, and individuality. With over a decade of experience, she has worked with leading global brands and delivered education internationally, empowering stylists and clients to embrace fearless, creative colour.
Maria Evangelou
Holistic Business and Wellbeing Coach
Maria Evangelou
Holistic Business and Wellbeing Coach
Maria Evangelou is a holistic business and wellbeing coach for hair professionals. A former salon owner who’s lived through illness, grief and burnout, she now helps salon owners and small businesses grow with clarity, balance and purpose - without sacrificing their wellbeing.
Marnie Wills
AI Strategist & Fractional Chief AI Officer | CEO & Founder of SportyMinis
Marnie Wills
AI Strategist & Fractional Chief AI Officer | CEO & Founder of SportyMinis
Marnie is a AI strategist and fractional chief AI officer who specialises in helping established business leaders build AP capability across the organisations without being overwhelmed by time or tech constraints.
Ryan Power
Salon Mentor and Salonology Co-Founder
Ryan Power
Salon Mentor and Salonology Co-Founder
Ryan Power is a salon business coach, marketing strategist, and co‑founder of Salonology. He helps salon owners grow their businesses, attract more clients, and create profitable, balanced businesses through practical strategies, marketing systems, and expert mentorship.
Sara Shoemark
Founder & Owner, Glow Beauty Group
Sara Shoemark
Founder & Owner, Glow Beauty Group
Sara Shoemark is the founder and owner of Glow Beauty Group. After training at the Ray Cochrane Beauty School, she worked in leading retail and spa environments including Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason. Returning to the North West, she founded her own salon which grew into the Glow brand, now operating across Wrexham, Chester, Mold and Tattenhall. Sara is widely respected in the industry for her commitment to training, mentorship and raising professional standards in beauty therapy.
Sonny Playforth
Salon Director at Sonny Playforth Hairdressing
Sonny Playforth
Salon Director at Sonny Playforth Hairdressing
Sonny Playforth is an award-winning hairdresser and salon director based in North Yorkshire, UK, known for owning Sonny Playforth Hairdressing on Northallerton High Street since 2014. He specializes in short, precision haircuts and color, holding a L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Specialist degree
