Leeds Hairdresser to Receive Royal Recognition for Services to Charity

Published 05th May 2023 by Josie Jackson

An award-winning Leeds hairdresser is set to receive royal recognition for his services to charity at Buckingham Palace this month.

Jeremy Farber, who is the Founder and Owner of Headfirst hair salon in Alwoodley, North Leeds, has raised over £30,000 for various charities over the last decade. In recognition of his dedication, Jeremy has been invited by the King to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Jeremy said: “I’m absolutely honoured and privileged to have been recognised for my contributions to charity through creative fundraising events - particularly as all attendees must receive nominations to attend. It’s not every day you’re invited to meet with royalty in recognition of your work, and the fact that the garden party is taking place just days after the King’s Coronation makes it extra special.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting people from all walks of life and celebrating the contributions that they have made to their own communities.”

Each year, Jeremy organises a fundraiser for a different charity. He has organised everything from sponsored waxing to family fun days and even turned his salon into a creperie for the day, all in the name of charity. However, he’s been unable to do this over the last few years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jeremy added: “The community in Alwoodley is very supportive when we organise charity events, and each year I look forward to coming up with a new idea to raise money for a great cause. It’s been really difficult for businesses likes ours over the last few years, but it’s been great to see people returning to a normal way of life – and I encourage people to continue supporting their local shops and communities.

“In the past we’ve raised enough funds to send a little boy to Disney World Orlando, in Florida, with his parents, and for a young man from the local area to have surgery to help with a heart defect. I’m now planning for my next fundraiser where I'll be doing an open-water swim to raise money for children’s diabetes. Before then though, I would like to say a huge thank you to all people past and present who have helped with fundraising in any way over the years – it’s fantastic to be able to get the local community together to help make a difference to the lives of others.”

Jeremy’s career, which spans over 50 years, began at the age of 14 in Manchester when he started shampooing hair as an apprentice to ‘the master hairdresser of his day’, Pierre Alexandre. The Leeds hairdresser has since gone on to open his own successful salon which he has been running for 35 years, produced many successful hairdressers and received recognition for his quality of education and training.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has gained experience in salons across the world and has won several awards including Best Community Salon, Best UK Salon Experience, and Yorkshire Evening Post’s Salon of the Year, among others. Find out which two hairdressers previously received an OBE Award for Services to Hairdressing from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.