Passions high at hairdressing council annual luncheon

The Hairdressing Council's annual luncheon and afternoon tea at the House of Commons once again attracted some of the biggest names in hairdressing, lending their support to the call for registration.

The Council's ambassador, Andrew Barton, was particularly vocal. "We have a challenge ahead and your energy, ideas, interest and belief in registration is needed more than ever before," said Andrew. "Despite every single major industry organisation and high profile name committing their support to the campaign, still only 6% of hairdressers are registered. Today is about us all reconnecting with the importance of the campaign for registration and achieving our goal. We need to make registration more desirable, more exciting and offer more benefits."

Andrew went on to say that he believed registration was the route to changing perception from outside the industry that hairdressing was not a profession.

"For the sake of our profession please keep your commitment to the campaign," concluded Andrew.

Also sharing his commitment to the cause with guests was council member, David Morris MP. "This is a positive time for registration - hairdressing is not a career for those with nothing else to do; it's a profession," he told guests. "This is a serious industry that deserves to be taken seriously."

Chairman of the Hairdressing Council, Arthur Ehoff brought formal proceedings to a close, saying: "We should be proud of the work we do; what we do is invaluable and to top it off we are the happiest workers! State registration is about professionalism, competency, trust - only the same as you would expect from other industries."

The event also saw a moving speech from special guest Mark Hayes, international creative director, Sassoon, who spoke of his personal relationship with the late, great Vidal Sassoon.