National Beauty Federation launches as sister association to NHF

Industry trade association the National Hairdressers’ Federation (NHF) has launched the National Beauty Federation (NBF), a sister association for beauty businesses to provide specialist business support.

“We have a lot of members who do both hair and beauty, but we are very aware that beauty is a different industry and there are different challenges,” said NBF and NHF chief executive Hilary Hall. “However, if you run any small business the biggest headache is managing people; we have a lot of specialist support to offer in that area.”

The NBF will provide its members with business support, such as “legislation updates, employment law advice and any other business issues,” said Hall. The association has also put together a specialist health and safety toolkit for beauty salons because of the unique considerations of certain treatments.

The NBF’s aim is to help members build successful and profitable beauty businesses. Membership benefits include access to everyday business advice and information; a 24/7 helpline for expert advice and practical help on managing your team, employment contracts; apprenticeship contracts, and space/room-renting agreements; savings and discounts on business essentials including salon insurance, and health and safety toolkits; and member-only guides to running a beauty business.

“Our 24/7 helplines alone could save you thousands of pounds,” says Hall. “The biggest headache for any business owner is managing people. Our legal team will hold your hand to help you deal with all those tricky situations that you have to get right if you want to avoid ending up in front of an employment tribunal.”

Existing NHF members will have access to NBF resources at no extra cost.

PB columnist Hellen Ward has been named beauty ambassador for the new association. Ward is also vice president of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs and managing director of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, said, "I have always hugely admired the important work the NHF does. It's fantastic news that the NBF will be providing the same valuable support for beauty salons, taking the stress out of running a hair or beauty business, and saving salon owners a huge amount of time and money."

To celebrate the NBF's launch, the first 100 beauty salons to join will receive a discount of £25 on their first year's membership.