Smooth succession planning in action for anne veck salons

Succession planning has been a key part of the past four years for business partnership Anne Veck and Keith Mellen, co-directors of Anne Veck salons. Over 30 years ago, Anne and Keith built two strong Oxfordshire businesses, one of which they sold three years ago to a loyal manager Tia Jacobs and who they support through this transition from manager to owner. So successful has been part one of the succession planning, that March 2022 saw phase two enacted with the sale to salon manager Kelly Spragg at Oxford. "We have carefully constructed this transition of ownership over a staged, three-year period for each salon, ensuring a smooth and successful passing of the business baton. This succession planning and action has come from trusting relationships, a knowledge of their skills to drive the business forwards, a continuation of support (both managerial and hairdressing hands-on), and a willingness of it being the right time to hand over the reins. Both managers had been with our Bicester and Oxford businesses for over 10 years, respectively, Tia for 12 years and Kelly for 15 years. "This exciting business shift comes for us at a time where our work in afro hair, ethical business best practice and sustainability has become where we want 80% of our time to be, working with brands, salons, and our own Salon Re:Source, to make meaningful change to the hairdressing landscape." Far from this being an exit from hairdressing, Anne is working for the next 12 months – at least – in the salon and supporting not only with client appointments and care, but with training for the team and building up her own work and commitments with Davines and other key players within the sustainability movement in hairdressing, and projects close to her heart such as partnerships with colleges. Keith is committing much of his time to both the development of Salon Re:Source and his role on the steering group of the UK Business and Biodivesity Forum (advising Government and businesses on how saving nature can be mainstreamed in to business operations and decision making). Anne concludes: "I am excited about the future, it feels like an adventure is beginning again, I can fully commit to the work that has become so incredibly important to me, and that is all thanks to an incredible 30 years as a salon owner and director, I feel like I’m heading into my next stage of my career." Following such a successful career, find out what advice Anne gives to apprentices looking to get into the industry, here.