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
Ami Coutts
Company Director of Halo Hair Design
Ami Coutts
Company Director of Halo Hair Design
Ami Coutts is the Company Director of Halo Hair Design, where she has worked for 15 years. She specialises in salon innovation and growth, with a strong focus on developing and evolving the business. She is committed to maintaining a positive, professional environment and describes the salon as happy, unique, and professional, ensuring both her team and clients receive an exceptional experience.
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.
Chelsea Dugdale
Owner & Founder, Dermalase Skin Clinic & Educator, Skin Thirteen Academy
Chelsea Dugdale
Owner & Founder, Dermalase Skin Clinic & Educator, Skin Thirteen Academy
Chelsea Dugdale is a clinic owner and educator, and the founder of Dermalase Clinic and Skin Thirteen Academy. With experience in clinical practice and laser technology, her focus is on improving industry standards through education that goes beyond qualifications, bringing more awareness to client communication, treatment outcomes, and sustainable business growth.
Fliss Williams
Studio Director | Elite Skin Studio
Fliss Williams
Studio Director | Elite Skin Studio
Fliss Williams is the Studio Director and day-to-day manager at Elite Skin Studio. With a specialism in laser treatments and helping problematic skin concerns, Fliss strives to educate and guide her clients on journeys to improve their self-confidence.
Hannah Osborne
Spa Manager at De Vere Tortworth Court
Hannah Osborne
Spa Manager at De Vere Tortworth Court
Hannah Osborne is a UK‑based spa and hospitality leader currently serving as Spa Manager at Tortworth Court, with a background in managing high‑quality guest experiences and team performance within luxury spa environments. With extensive industry experience, she focuses on delivering exceptional service standards and driving operational success in wellness and guest services.
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.
Kyomi Sayce
Founder, The KS Clinic & Skin of Colour Aesthetics Training Academy
Kyomi Sayce
Founder, The KS Clinic & Skin of Colour Aesthetics Training Academy
Kyomi Sayce is the Founder of The KS Clinic and a specialist in skin of colour aesthetics, with over 15 years’ experience at two of the UK’s leading non-surgical and cosmetic surgery clinics. She established her clinic to provide tailored treatments for melanin-rich skin and, in 2022, launched the Skin of Colour Aesthetics Training Academy to share her expertise with practitioners across the UK, helping more clients access safe, effective, and inclusive care.
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.
Samantha Baker
Salon Owner @ LUXE
Samantha Baker
Salon Owner @ LUXE
With over 18 years in the hair industry, Samantha Barker is the Owner of LUXE Hair Salon in Milton Keynes, which she has successfully built and grown over the past 6 years. A confident, natural leader, she is passionate about people, team development, and salon culture. She has created an empowering environment where her team feels valued, inspired, and confident, fostering a strong passion for delivering beautiful hair and exceptional client experiences.
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.
Sarah Winters
Owner of Blades Hairdressing
Sarah Winters
Owner of Blades Hairdressing
With 30 years in the hair industry, Sarah Winters owns Blades Hairdressing in Nuneaton, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. She later expanded the business to include Beauty Bean, a beauty and coffee concept. Built on a strong family ethos, Sarah works alongside her family and a loyal team, creating a supportive environment focused on developing apprentices and nurturing future talent.
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
