ALL THE PRESIDENT’S PLANS

Newly elected NHBF president Amanda Lodge-Stewart (pictured, inset) is keen to outline the organisation’s commitment to lobbying the UK government on the issues that affect the hair industry. This year, alongside regulation for aesthetics, the focus is on these key areas:

• Securing further business support through the cost of doing business crisis. This includes short- and medium-term nancial assistance, fair taxation and a crackdown on tax-evasion.

• Addressing the challenges around skills by securing further support on employer incentives for apprentices (particularly to encourage more young people into the sector) and enhanced levels of funding for the Hair Apprenticeship Standards in the future.

• Positioning the sector as making an important contribution to the economy in terms of economic value, wellbeing and a sustainable future. In terms of levelling up across the UK –including in deprived areas, high streets and local communities

– it means supporting youth employment and adult reskilling. The NHBF will also promote the industry’s role in social prescribing and acting as an addition or alternative to squeezed NHS services in a time of strain on public services.

“A lot of what we do is behind the scenes but has a hugely positive effect on the industry,” explains Amanda. “In 2022 the NHBF secured wider distribution of the Additional Restrictions Grants to personal care businesses and the setting up of the Close Contact Fund in Scotland in January. We helped extend support on energy bills through the Energy Bills Relief Scheme until March 2023. In the November Autumn Statement, the government announced business rates reform with a 75 per cent discount on business rates. We were also responsible for an amendment to the Health and Care Act 2022 delivering a regulatory regime for aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic procedures.”

She continues that it’s NHBF member and industry statistics, in addition to feedback, that helps the organisation achieve change.

“Government needs to know these are industrywide issues, and our quarterly State of the Industry surveys have been instrumental in providing this crucial information.

“As president I will work to continue this great work and provide the day-to-day business support and services that professionals, salons and barber shops need to be both successful and pro table.”

@nhbfsocial

To find out more information and how to join the NHBF, call 01234 831 965 or visit nhbf.co.uk

THE SHOW: ERDEM

THE ARTIST: ANTHONY TURNER FOR OLAPLEX Centre-partings and low ponytails were integral to this show, emulating Victorian heroines. “We were inspired by the more riotous women of the 19th century,” said Anthony Turner, “and so when it came to the creation of these looks, perfection went out the window.” Olaplex’s new No.4D Clean Detox Volume Dry Shampoo helped create looks that suggested “something that was once intentional, that has now become beautifully weathered”.