Industry honours

Huge congratulations to Peter Collinge and Charlie Miller on their awards in the New Year Honours List, with both receiving OBE's for their services to hairdressing. Well loved and respected names in the industry, both men have devoted their professional lives to bettering the quality and reputation of the craft, and such has their devotion been that both businesses are still family named and run. Having a phenomenal reputation for excellence is a requirement for any business, but perhaps more so in hairdressing where your clients leave actually wearing your work, and having to live with the outcome of the services and treatments offered in your salon. Not easy to change like an item of clothing or a pair of shoes, your hair is the one fashion accessory on show 24/7 and is why salons up and down the country are reporting clients continuing to return. For some, it may not be quite as regularly as it was, but women - and men - who have experienced quality hairdressing are loathe to give it up. Complacency in the salon isn't an option though as you are only as good as the last service you delivered, and an off-day isn't acceptable for the client who happens to be booked in and paying for your time. For salon managers, the skill is ensuring that all team members are operating to the same high level, all of the time.