The Hair Council
The Hair Council (also The Hair & Barber Council)
Category: Statutory Authority / Professional Body
Established: 1964 (by Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964)
Also Known As: The Hair & Barber Council (reflecting expanded remit including barbers)
Overview
The Hair Council (often referred to as The Hair & Barber Council) is the only statutory authority in Great Britain representing qualified hairdressers and barbers. Its core mission is to raise professional standards within the hairdressing and barbering industry, promote professional recognition, and provide consumer confidence by encouraging voluntary registration of qualified practitioners.
Although hairdressing and barbering are not legally regulated professions in the UK (anyone may practise without qualifications), the Hair Council maintains the UK Register of Qualified Hairdressers and Barbers and advocates for mandatory state registration through legislative change.
Purpose and Function
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Professional Recognition: The Council enables qualified hairdressers and barbers to become State Registered Hairdressers (SRH) or State Registered Barbers (SRB), signalling verified training and competence to clients.
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Standards and Membership: It encourages members to present evidence of training and qualifications (e.g., NVQ or equivalent) to achieve registration status, with associated benefits such as access to resources, marketing materials, insurance discounts, and professional promotion.
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Sector Representation: The Council represents the hair and barber sectors with UK Government bodies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, aiming to influence public policy and improve industry conditions.
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Advocacy for Regulation: One of the Hair Council’s principal goals is to initiate a parliamentary debate that would lead to statutory mandatory registration of all practising hairdressers and barbers in the UK.
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Industry Support: It offers tools such as a find a registered professional directory that helps consumers locate verified practitioners, enhancing client trust in professional services.
Relevance to Practitioners
Although hairdressing and barbering are currently unregulated, Hair Council registration provides recognition of professional training, supports career credibility, and gives practitioners a platform to demonstrate their commitment to industry standards—helping clients choose trained and competent professionals.
Location
Operates across Great Britain with its administrative base in Braishfield, Hampshire, UK.
The Hair Council is the only statutory authority in Great Britain for hair and barber professionals, aiming to raise industry standards by promoting voluntary registration on the UK Register of Qualified Hairdressers and Barbers.
It represents professionals, lobbies government for mandatory registration, provides marketing tools, insurance discounts, HR support, and a 'find a salon' directory to connect clients with qualified local stylists.
Currently voluntary, though anyone can practice without qualifications; the Council pushes for statutory change to make it required for all UK hairdressers and barbers.
Registrants gain professional recognition, newsletters, insurance discounts, Master Craftsman status after two years, and listing in the consumer search tool to attract clients.
It reassures clients by promoting qualified professionals via the 'find a salon' tool, improving safety and standards in an unregulated industry.
Hairdressers and barbers meeting qualification criteria apply online; state-registered status showcases expertise and boosts credibility.
It encourages registration based on existing qualifications and provides access to CPD, industry insights, and events for ongoing development.
References (APA)
The Hair & Barber Council. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://haircouncil.org.uk/about-us/ — Official site outlining mission, registration and professional goals. Hair Council
The Hair & Barber Council. (n.d.). Membership types. Retrieved from https://haircouncil.org.uk/membership-types/ — Details membership, requirements and professional registration categories. Hair Council
The Hair & Barber Council. (n.d.). Find your nearest State Registered Hairdresser or Barber. Retrieved from https://haircouncil.org.uk/find-a-salon/ — Consumer tool for locating registered professionals. Hair Council
Conway, L. (2025, June 13). Regulation of hairdressers. House of Commons Library. Retrieved from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/who-regulates-hairdressers/ — Parliamentary briefing on the regulatory context of UK hairdressing.