A Monumental Day for the Hair Industry at the House of Commons
By Rae Palmer – Founder of WELOVE & Ambassador for The Hair & Barber Council
Monday 14th July 2025 marked a truly special and significant moment for the UK hair and barbering industry, and for me personally. It was an absolute honour to stand in the House of Commons as a voice for our craft, our professionals, and our future.
This year, I’m celebrating 40 years in the commercial and education sectors of the hair industry. To be invited to represent our profession as an Ambassador for The Hair & Barber Council, alongside the brilliant Andrew Barton, is something I will always cherish. It reflects just how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve when we come together as professionals and advocates.
The visit to Westminster was made possible by the gracious invitation of Rupa Huq MP, and we were joined by industry champions David Drew (Chairman) and Gareth Penn, who work tirelessly to support our mission. Together, we share a collective belief in the importance of State Registration and Continuous Professional Development (CPD), not just as formalities, but as vital foundations of respect, recognition, and future growth for our sector.
"Only when state registration is mandatory will hair and barber professionals get the true professional status to which we are respectfully entitled."
— David Drew, Chairman, The Hair & Barber Council
At WELOVE, our mission has always been to uplift, empower and unite the industry through community, creativity and career-long education. That’s why this meeting at Parliament matters so much. It signals real progress toward achieving mandatory licensing to practise, a future in which every professional in our industry is respected, protected, and recognised for their skill, commitment and expertise.
Being part of this conversation, in a place where real change is made, was emotional and empowering. It reminded me of the incredible strength and value we hold as a professional collective. We are not just creatives - we are educators, entrepreneurs, specialists, and changemakers. And we deserve to be acknowledged as such.
So here's to every stylist, barber, colourist, educator and salon owner who believes in raising the standard. The future of our industry is brighter than ever, and WELOVE is proud to be right at the heart of it.
