Announcing Rae Palmer as the new UK Hair Council Ambassador - Q&A

How did you feel when asked to be the new Hair Council and Industry Ambassador? 

I was honoured to be asked by the Hair Council to be their Ambassador. I have been celebrating 40 years in British Hairdressing this year and my passion has always been for the commercial sector so to be representing such an important part of our industry is an achievement and a great honour.  

What does the role entail?

The role entails giving input to the Hair Council on the salon business industry and what I believe regulation should look like. 

It’s also for me to lead our industry into change and support the council with its mission to achieve Mandatory Registration. I’m passionate about creativity but also I believe it’s time the industry was regulated and hair professionals are recognised and respected by their clients and GOVT as a career.

Our Art and Craft takes many years to Master with many qualifications and CPD to gain a level that is of a professional and safe standard. The GOVT also have a responsibility to protect the consumer from those who are not trained and those in our industry who don't want to further their education, we are now faced with numerous unqualified educators in the sector.

My role is also to form and lead a new Ambassadorial Team across the UK. This team is set to lead artistically, educate commercially and creatively, and raise awareness of the importance of registration and endorsed CPD within the UK hair industry. 

Why is this new UK Ambassadorial Team being set up and who are they?

Each WELOVE Ambassador represents a part of our industry and a key philosophy that sits at the heart of WELOVE:

- the importance of COLLABORATION and a positive MINDSET 

- SUSTAINABILITY matters

- HOLISTIC hair is the future 

- to be a DESIGNER hair pro we need to be a Master of the Art and Craft, commercially as well as creatively. 

- Working to an advanced level and PROFESSIONALISM means standards of excellence. 

- INDIVIDUALITY - we are all as unique as our clients. DIVERSITY is key to our industry being a leader in the U.K. for the economy and development of communities. 

The individuals nominated for these roles are all leaders and Purple Heart Club Educators, each specialising in these key areas. 

The Purple Heart Hair Professional symbol signifies to clients that these individuals adhere to standards of excellence, which is essential for distinguishing themselves from those who do not maintain the same high standards. Hair professionals recognised with this purple heart will be able to charge accordingly, leading to growth in their commercial businesses while ensuring consumer protection.

What are the main responsibilities of an ambassador role and how do they differ from the WELOVE Purple Hearts Educators?

Our educators will guide our industry through change by providing education that inspires and motivates, helping hairdressers to develop their businesses and skills on a day-to-day basis in their salons. However, the role of the Ambassadors is to lead our industry by emphasising the importance of our philosophy, the necessity for licensing, and the requirement for all hairdressers to register as hair professionals. 

It sounds very exciting, what can we expect to see from you and the team over the next few weeks? 

The coming weeks will see the ambassadors preparing for their launch day on the 20th Feb 2025 - it's going to be so exciting and we really can't wait to announce it all fully and get stuck in.