Leeds Regional Growth Summit 2026

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Leeds Regional Growth Summit

8 June 2026 at The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Presented by Professional Beauty and Hairdressers Journal International, the Leeds Regional Growth Summit is designed to help salon and spa owners and senior managers strengthen, grow, and future-proof their businesses.

Gain practical strategies from industry experts, hear from inspiring speakers, connect with leading professional brands, explore new suppliers, and engage in commercially focused conversations that support smarter investment decisions.

Timetable

Stop Chasing Busy: The KPIs That Make Salons Truly Profitable

Main Stage

Learn which numbers matter most, how often you should be monitoring them, and how to use data to make confident decisions on pricing, staffing and growth. You will leave with a framework that brings clarity and control to your salon.

Matthew Sutcliffe

Director of TintTint Leeds | Professional Educator

Bailey Snowden

Owner of Snowden Barbers & Snowden Academy

Matthew Sutcliffe

Director of TintTint Leeds | Professional Educator

Matthew Sutcliffe is a passionate and dedicated hairdresser, and takes pride in sharing knowledge and inspiring others within the industry. Matthew's achievements include winning the L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy and Creative Head IT Guy in 2012, and being part of the F.A.M.E Team in 2013. Matthew has also held key roles with L'Oréal Professionnel and the Westrow Artistic Team, building a strong reputation for creativity and education.

Bailey Snowden

Owner of Snowden Barbers & Snowden Academy

With over a decade of experience behind the chair, Bailey Snowden is known for precision cutting, modern styling, and a strong passion for men’s grooming. Recently selected for the prestigious WAHL UK Scholarship, he is recognised as a rising talent in the industry. Bailey is dedicated to delivering a tailored grooming experience, combining attention to detail with genuine connection to ensure every client leaves feeling confident and looking sharp.

Start Time 10:30am

End Time 11:15am

Empower Your Team to Deliver: Building Structure, Progression & Loyalty

Main Stage

In this session, discover practical ways to set expectations, create career pathways and build loyalty within your team. Learn how strong leadership and supportive systems can turn talented staff into long-term ambassadors for your salon and how to motivate and incentivise the next generation.

Lesley Caster

Salon Owner, City Retreat Salons

Robert Eaton

Art Director at Russel Eaton Hair Salons

Louise Howard-Long

Founder and Salon Owner of Architect Hair

Lesley Caster

Salon Owner, City Retreat Salons

Lesley Caster is the founder and owner of City Retreat Salons, bringing over 30 years of experience as a therapist, educator, speaker, judge, and multi-award-winning business owner. She is renowned for her commitment to excellence, high standards, and creating a welcoming sanctuary for clients. Under her leadership, City Retreat has become one of the most respected and trusted beauty salon brands in the North East, with a focus on professionalism, wellness, and exceptional client experience.

Robert Eaton

Art Director at Russel Eaton Hair Salons

Robert Eaton is a multi-award-winning stylist and the Creative Director of Russell Eaton Salons. He is widely recognised in the industry as a true colour expert and is also a qualified trichologist.

Louise Howard-Long

Founder and Salon Owner of Architect Hair

Louise Howard-Long is the founder and Creative Director of the multi-award-winning Architect Hair. She is a precision cutting and colour specialist, known for creating personalised, wearable styles from bold transformations to subtle balayage. Louise also offers hair loss advisory and is passionate about educating clients and her team to achieve great results at home.

Start Time 11:15am

End Time 12:00pm

Chris Taylor: Social Selling for Salons in 2026: Turning Attention into Appointments

Main Stage

In 2026, salons that win won’t be the ones posting the most, they’ll be the ones posting with purpose. This session breaks down how to use Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn as intentional revenue channels, not just content platforms. You’ll learn how to attract the right local audience, build trust at scale, and turn everyday social activity into predictable bookings. Discover the simple systems behind high-performing salons, how to stop being the “best kept secret” in your area, and how to structure your marketing so social media becomes a consistent & reliable.

Chris Taylor

Founding Director at SILLA & The Social Selling Co

Chris Taylor

Founding Director at SILLA & The Social Selling Co

Start Time 12:00pm

End Time 12:45pm

Marnie Wills: Personal AI Intelligence: The Essential Mindset for Every Salon Business Leader

Main Stage

This keynote is designed specifically for salon and clinic leaders who know AI matters but are unsure where it fits into their everyday roles. It breaks down the true what, why, and how of generative AI in clear, non-technical language, shifting the focus away from complex tools and towards a robust personal AI mindset that every modern leader needs to thrive. Marnie reframes AI not as a threat to jobs, but as a powerful collaborator that will sit alongside key parts of a leader’s job description—from planning and decision-making to marketing ideas, client communication, and team support. The session heavily emphasises the education of AI as an essential skill, ensuring all beauty and hair professionals are prepared to work with integrated AI and agent workflows as a natural part of how they think and act at work. As an attendee, you will leave with a simple, structured path to build your own AI workflows, ensuring you no longer feel left behind by the pace of innovation.

Marnie Wills

CEO & Founder of SportyMinis. AI Trainer/ Consultant & Keynote Speaker @Business with AI Strategist

Marnie Wills

CEO & Founder of SportyMinis. AI Trainer/ Consultant & Keynote Speaker @Business with AI Strategist

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.

Start Time 02:00pm

End Time 02:45pm

Charge Smarter, Sell Better: Service Pricing & Retail Strategies

Main Stage

Pricing and retail are two of the most powerful, and often most underused, drivers of salon profitability. Our experts will explore how salon owners can price services with confidence, position retail more effectively, and build revenue without relying on constant discounting or simply working more hours. Leave with practical insights on how to protect margins, increase average spend and create a financially sustainable business.

Kerri-Ann Bruce

Salon Owner | Business & Skills Mentor

Sara Shoemark

Founder & Owner, Glow Beauty Group

Melenie Tudor

Owner of Multi Award Winning Sustainable Salon, En Route Hair and Beauty

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.

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.

Melenie Tudor

Owner of Multi Award Winning Sustainable Salon, En Route Hair and Beauty

Melenie Tudor is the founder and Creative Director of En Route, an eco-conscious salon. A specialist in precision cutting, she is passionate about the transformative power of hair and developing her team through strong training programs. Melenie and her salon have earned multiple industry awards, including the British Hairdressing Awards.

Start Time 02:45pm

End Time 03:30pm

From Posts to Profit: Social Media & Marketing That Works for Salons

Main Stage

With social media dominating such a large portion of modern life, this panel explores how to create high impact that converts followers into clients. Discover what to post, when to post it, and the trends worth following. You’ll also learn where social fits in the marketing wider mix and how to maximise all methods for a 360 approach to success.

Jessica White

Founder of Blanc Studios

Jessica White

Founder of Blanc Studios

Jessica White is an award-winning nail artist and founder of Blanc Studios, a luxury salon and training academy in Leeds. A First-Class Law graduate turned entrepreneur, Jessica is celebrated for her creativity, precision, and forward-thinking approach to beauty. She has received multiple industry awards for her artistry and innovation, cementing her reputation as one of the UK’s leading nail professionals.

Start Time 03:30pm

End Time 04:15pm

Leeds Regional Growth Summit 2026