KEEPING IT SIMPLE. As John Spanton settles into his role as Artistic Director and General Manager at Arkive by Adam Reed, we had a chat to find out about the quietly triumphant life he’s created in hair and why this move is the start of a satisfying new chapter. The chances are, you’ll know the name John Spanton. In industry circles, he’s regarded as one of our most talented and influential colourists. Clients enthuse about his magic touch and the quiet reputation he has built for delivering London’s most radiant balayage’s. He’s won awards both nationally and internationally and been at the helm of one of the world’s most prestigious hair powerhouses. And yet, he does all this with an understated ease. Big fanfares and flashy selfpromotion are not his thing. John’s latest role sees him settled in at the cozy surroundings of Arkive by Adam Reed where he describes feeling “my most chilled out and happy.” After a career of delivering at the top level, that’s clearly a goal that’s high on his agenda. “Hair is not rocket science, it should be fun!” he says. “There’s a refreshing feeling at Adam Reed that we’re there to do hair but have a good time too. That’s not to take anything away from the business – we’re a team of grafters and we’re all competent and confident in what we do. It’s just less competitive, a more joyous place to work. The culture is more relaxed, and I’ve never felt so appreciated.” Despite landing some of hairdressing’s hottest roles, John’s beginnings were humble. Born in Paisley – the same birthplace as Trevor Sorbie, these two hairdressers shared the same roots. Born 10 minutes away from where Trevor grew up, they went to the same primary school and attended the same art class, albeit several years apart. The coincidences were uncanny. Leaving school four days before his 16th birthday, John followed a path into hairdressing and with a burning talent very evident, became Education Manager for L’Oréal and Matrix in Scotland, going on to become Head of Education in UK & Ireland. Perhaps inevitably, John’s journey to London took him to the
doors of Trevor Sorbie. Whether destiny or part of a well-designed plan, John spent over 17 immensely successful years as Technical Education Director of Trevor Sorbie International and Creative Colour Director of the internationally renowned Artistic Team. While there, John completed his L’Oréal Colour Specialist Degree and passed with a distinction and a score of 98 per cent. Technically, his talents are irrefutable – something that Sorbie has made a name for spotting. John recalls an up-andcoming Italian stylist by the name of Angelo Seminara had joined the Trevor Sorbie team. “When I first met him, you could tell he had the potential to be amazing, but he wasn’t yet finessed on stage.” Over the seven years they worked together at Trevor Sorbie, John saw Angelo’s talents and career flourish in front of his eyes. While with Trevor Sorbie, John had interludes at the Brighton salon for four years and went and set up the Trevor Sorbie salon in Manchester. But these roles took him down a management path and while he was very good at it, he realised he wasn’t in love with that side of things at the time. It wasn’t the right moment in his life or the right opportunity. Creatively, he was feeling discontent and with a slight tongue in cheek, he confides, “I was beginning to wonder, where do old hairdressers go…?” After a career rethink that coincided with the calamity of Covid, John was ready to move on in hairdressing and - in another twist of fate - Angelo was just branching out on his own and launching his salon in Knightsbridge. It seemed the natural place to go. John describes Angelo Seminara at Urban Retreat as: “a smaller salon with a cohort of self-employed colleagues. It was a different culture altogether from Trevor Sorbie. People set their own hours and days. It felt liberating.” Clearly this was the reset that John needed, and he was enjoying every minute of being back with his old colleague. “You feel very relaxed around
