Speakers at the Leeds Salon 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 spent the past 17 years building a salon known for strong systems, innovation, growth, and exceptional client experience. She is passionate about evolving the business, developing her team, and creating a professional, positive environment where both clients and staff feel valued. Ami is known for combining high standards with a real focus on culture, critical numbers, leadership, and long-term salon success.
Bailey Snowden
Owner of Snowden Barbers & Snowden Academy
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.
Chris Taylor
Founding Director at SILLA & The Social Selling Co
Chris Taylor
Founding Director at SILLA & The Social Selling Co
Chris Taylor is a social selling strategist, speaker, and founder of Social Selling. He helps business owners generate leads and sales through social media & marketing systems which focus solely on driving revenue. Having built an audience of over 100,000 online, Chris is known for practical, no-fluff advice that drives sustainable business growth.
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.
Kelly Furnival
Company Director, KF Hair and Education
Kelly Furnival
Company Director, KF Hair and Education
With over 25 years in the industry, Kelly Furnival is a hairdresser, salon owner, independent colour educator, business mindset coach, and Level 3 Assessor for Hairology Academy. Passionate about raising industry standards, Kelly is on a mission to change the way hairdressers think about pricing, retail, colour knowledge, customer service, and building profitable, sustainable careers.
Lesley Caster
Salon Owner, City Retreat Salons
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.
Louise Howard-Long
Founder and Salon Owner of Architect Hair
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.
Marnie WIlls
AI Strategist & Fractional Chief AI Officer
Marnie WIlls
AI Strategist & Fractional Chief AI Officer
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.
Matthew Sutcliffe
Director of TintTint Leeds | Professional Educator
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.
Melenie Tudor
Owner of Multi Award Winning Sustainable Salon, En Route Hair and Beauty
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.
Robert Eaton
Art Director at Russel Eaton Hair Salons
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.
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.
Stephanie Barnard
Marketing Strategist for Beauty Business Owners | Founder of The BKD Method
Stephanie Barnard
Marketing Strategist for Beauty Business Owners | Founder of The BKD Method
Stephanie Barnard is a beauty business educator, speaker, and creator of The BKD Method. Following a career-ending injury after 13 years as a nail technician, she built a three-phase framework that helps beauty pros master Google SEO, attract high-intent clients without paid ads, and replace "hope marketing" with consistent bookings.
Susan Routledge
Founder of Beauty Directors Club | Clinic Owner | Business Mentor
Susan Routledge
Founder of Beauty Directors Club | Clinic Owner | Business Mentor
Susan Routledge is the founder of Beauty Directors Club, a long established membership for Beauty salon and skin clinic owners who have outgrown ordinary advice. She is also a multi award winning clinic owner of 38 years, as well as a standards advisor, business mentor, best-selling author, speaker, judge and host of the hugely popular Beauty Business Matters Podcast.
