New Chair and Vice Chair announced for The Fellowship for British Hairdressing

Barry and Andreas take over from Simon Shaw and Kerry Mather respectively, both of whom have now completed their two-year tenures.

Together, Barry and Andreas bring a wealth of experience from within hairdressing and the wider world of technology.  They join President Ken Picton, Chancellor Ashleigh Hodges, and the Fellowship Council in their mission to continue the Fellowship’s drive towards being fully inclusive and accessible as it looks towards its 75th anniversary in 2021.

New approaches to membership, sponsorship and live and digital activations are being put into place across the Fellowship, for a comprehensive modernisation of the organisation which honours its history and traditions while providing a fresh, dynamic interpretation of its two key pillars of creativity and opportunity.

The vision includes increased online touchpoints for accessible education and inspiration, a new approach to membership pricing and structures and updated opportunities for sponsors to show their support.  All of this is devised to create a greater and broader community for the Fellowship, representing the contemporary face of British hairdressing through salons and individuals across the country.

Barry Stephens was elected to the Fellowship Council in 2019 shortly after his company, Mutu, became corporate sponsors. Launched in 2006, Mutu has since become one of the UK’s leading salon telecoms software companies. A chance conversation with a salon owner friend led Barry to the hairdressing industry, having previously worked in construction at Board Director level and creating a hosted telecoms solution for the retail sector in 2002. This varied experience, plus a passion for growth, makes Barry perfectly placed to help usher in a new era for the Fellowship.

“I couldn’t have been prouder than when I was elected to the Council and found myself in a position alongside other Council Members to be able to support salon owners to help them build successful, profitable businesses,” says Barry Stephens.

As he now takes up his new position as Chair of the Fellowship, Barry goes on to add: “It’s such an exciting time to be part of the Fellowship, especially as we continue to build our digital presence on all platforms and further to engage with a wider, younger audience. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for our growing membership and our ever-loyal sponsors.”

Andreas Stavrou is a familiar Fellowship face, as former Vice President under both Bruno Marc and Karine Jackson. In his previous role, Andreas worked closely with the F.A.M.E. Team to create life-changing opportunities, as well as working with sponsors and members to drive the organisation forward.

“I am honoured by my appointment as Vice-Chair. Here at the Fellowship we are dedicated to maintaining and advancing the standards of British hairdressing and are fully focused on supporting the talent of the future. We are inclusive, diverse and share through creativity and opportunity” says Andreas Stavrou.

With 30 years of experience in hairdressing, Andreas combines his classical industry training with a passion for mentoring emerging talent – making him perfectly placed to continue the Fellowship’s drive to appeal to a diverse membership.

As the Fellowship for British Hairdressing continues to grow and move into new areas as it supports its members through the New Normal, the new-look Council promises to provide support, strength and plenty of opportunities for members to continue to grow and strengthen their businesses, together.