Speakers at the Glasgow Regional Growth Summit 2026
Meet our line-up of speakers who will be sharing their expertise, trends, and strategies shaping the industry
Alex Thaddeus
Stylist and Owner of Alex Thaddeus Hairdressing
Alex Thaddeus
Stylist and Owner of Alex Thaddeus Hairdressing
Alex Thaddeus has over 26 years’ experience in hairdressing and has run her own salon in Cupar, Fife, for 16 years. Leading a team of 10 stylists, she sets a high standard for Scottish hairdressing while welcoming all hair types and textures. Known for bespoke colour, precision cutting, and contemporary styling, Alex also brings international expertise, having worked at New York Fashion Week and backstage at shows including Alice&Olivia and Son Jung Wan.
Brian "Leo" McCallum
Creative Director of ROAR Hair&Beauty
Brian "Leo" McCallum
Creative Director of ROAR Hair&Beauty
Brian ‘Leo’ McCallum is Creative Director of ROAR Hair&Beauty, an award-winning salon group based in Glasgow. Renowned for his expertise in bespoke colour, Leo is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s leading colour specialists. Passionate about creativity and education, he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of hair professionals. Under his direction, ROAR has become a go-to destination for personalised, high-quality colour and exceptional client experience.
Fiona Jackson
Founder of the RISE programme
Fiona Jackson
Founder of the RISE programme
Fiona Jackson is the founder of the RISE Programme, an industry-led initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and employment in the hair, beauty and spa sector. With experience in both education and salon ownership, she is passionate about building strong team structures, developing confident, commercially aware professionals and creating clear pathways that support retention, progression and long-term success.
Gemma Donaldson
Owner of All Things Beauty salon
Gemma Donaldson
Owner of All Things Beauty salon
Gemma Donaldson is the owner of All Things Beauty in Glasgow, known for her dedication to high-quality treatments and a welcoming salon experience. She is passionate about supporting her team and building a successful, client-focused beauty business.
Gillian McGraffin
Salon owner
Gillian McGraffin
Salon owner
A professional spa leader with over 30 years of experience at the five-star level, Gillian is passionate about education and helping to shape the future for upcoming generations within the global spa and wellness industry. Gillian’s current priorities include wellness, wellbeing, and business development.
Jade Hayter
Hairdresser, Educator & Founder of The 145 Collective | JADE HAYTER
Jade Hayter
Hairdresser, Educator & Founder of The 145 Collective | JADE HAYTER
Jade Hayter is a hairdresser, educator, and founder of The 145 Collective in Glasgow and JADE HAYTER salon wear. She creates sustainable, performance-led workwear designed for beauty professionals, combining style, durability, and comfort. Her mission is to help industry professionals feel confident and supported in demanding salon environments.
Jenny Storey
Salon co-owner | Entrepreneur | Educator
Jenny Storey
Salon co-owner | Entrepreneur | Educator
Entrepreneur and educator, Jenny Storey co-founded and owns four successful businesses. A qualified beauty therapist, assessor, IQA and CIBTAC examiner, she is passionate about raising industry standards. She co-owns and leads a multi-award-winning salon and global award winning training academy, supporting the next generation of professionals.
Jo Simpson
Multiple Business Owner | Profit Strategist | Business Consultant
Jo Simpson
Multiple Business Owner | Profit Strategist | Business Consultant
Jo Simpson is a Profit Strategist, accountant, accredited Profit First Professional and business owner. Since 2002, she has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses by combining strategic finance with real-world experience. She also runs a UK-based accountancy and bookkeeping practice, supporting online, retail and service businesses, with a strong focus on the beauty industry.
Kerri-Ann Bruce
Salon owner | Business & Skills Mentor
Kerri-Ann Bruce
Salon owner | Business & Skills Mentor
Salon owner turned Business & Skills Mentor with 18+ years in the beauty industry. After building, scaling and selling a multi-six-figure salon brand, she now shows salon owners how to work smarter, grow faster and finally stop doing everything themselves.
Kerri-Ann Bruce
Salon owner | Business & Skills Mentor
Kerri-Ann Bruce
Salon owner | Business & Skills Mentor
Salon owner turned Business & Skills Mentor with 18+ years in the beauty industry. After building, scaling and selling a multi-six-figure salon brand, she now shows salon owners how to work smarter, grow faster and finally stop doing everything themselves.
Lilac Miller
Salon Director
Lilac Miller
Salon Director
Lilac Miller has over 19 years experience in the beauty industry and owns Sleeping Beauty Salons, a chain of 7 salons and a training academy in Scotland. She is a qualified beauty therapist, trainer & assessor and has a degree in Management from St Andrews University.
Ross Miller
Director Renella Salon Falkirk & MTA Hair Education
Ross Miller
Director Renella Salon Falkirk & MTA Hair Education
Ross is an experienced hairdresser who grew up in the family business, playing a key role at Renella and helping lead training with his mother, Anne. He continues the salon’s focus on developing apprentices and long-term careers. Now owner of MTA Hair Education in Falkirk, he trains learners from apprentices to stylists and has built a strong reputation that attracts salons to his academy. He has also worked with leading names including Wella, Sassoon, Habia/VTCT, and Great Lengths.
Sammy MacDonald
Business Coach, Multi-Business Owner & Scottish Educator for OPI
Sammy MacDonald
Business Coach, Multi-Business Owner & Scottish Educator for OPI
Sammy MacDonald is a Business Coach and Multi-Business Owner with over 15 years of experience building and scaling successful service-based businesses. Known for a practical, no-nonsense approach, he focuses on leadership, profitability, and building high-performing teams. He is also the Scottish Educator for OPI and leads nail teams at FW, with experience working on major shows for designers including Victoria Beckham, and featuring in her most recent Netflix documentary.
Sheona Will
Owner, Bloom Group Salons
Sheona Will
Owner, Bloom Group Salons
Sheona Will, owner of Bloom Group Salons, began her career in hairdressing at 15 as a Saturday assistant. Combining creative expertise with a strong business focus, she later earned a business degree and co-founded a multi-location salon group. In 2019, she launched Bloom, expanding to locations in Glasgow, Aberdeen and London, where she continues to grow the brand with a focus on innovation, guest experience and sustainable business growth.
Sheryl Findlay
International Life & Business Coach | Entrepreneur
Sheryl Findlay
International Life & Business Coach | Entrepreneur
Sheryl is an international life and business coach, speaker, and entrepreneur with 18 years’ global experience in marketing and branding. After overcoming cancer and transforming her life - losing 17 stone and competing in fitness competitions - she now helps clients achieve lasting confidence, clarity, and success. Through coaching, programs, and speaking, Sheryl combines mindset, strategy, and heart to empower others to reach their next level in life, business, and personal growth.
Wil Fleeson
Founder, Trichology Scotland | Co-Founder, Root Cause Clinical | Board Member, Association of Registered Trichologists
Wil Fleeson
Founder, Trichology Scotland | Co-Founder, Root Cause Clinical | Board Member, Association of Registered Trichologists
Wil Fleeson is a globally recognised clinical trichologist with over 35 years of experience in the hair industry. He is the founder of Trichology Scotland, co-founder of Root Cause Clinical, and a board member of the Association of Registered Trichologists. Wil regularly delivers seminars in the UK and internationally, supporting education, mentorship, and higher standards across the hair and scalp industry.
