32 Years of Jo Hansford: A Colour Icon Who Changed the Industry
A Colour Icon Who Changed the Industry
As the Jo Hansford salon steps into its 32nd year, the air hums not only with the rhythm of hairdryers and the soft stir of colour bowls, but with the quiet magic of legacy, a celebration woven into every strand and every story told within its walls.
Recognised around the world as a leading authority in hair colour, Jo Hansford’s name has become synonymous with excellence, elegance, and expertise. Behind the accolades and achievements lies a journey built on passion, precision, and perseverance.
From pioneering colour techniques that changed the way we see hair, to training generations of elite colourists, Jo’s impact has gone far beyond the chair. She has painted the heads of royalty, celebrities, business leaders, and loyal clients who have followed her journey for decades, each one receiving the same dedication and artistry that has defined her brand.
A WOMAN WITH A VISION
Back in 1993, Jo was a woman with a vision and a challenge. She had to beg the bank to take a chance on her dream. At the time, hairdressing's biggest names were all men: Vidal Sassoon, John Frieda, Nicky Clarke. But Jo was not simply setting out to join their ranks; she was determined to change the industry, and that is exactly what she did.
From day one, Jo Hansford set out to do something different. At a time when coloured hair was still considered taboo, and grey hair was usually covered with a weekly blue rinse, Jo saw a unique opportunity: to place colour at the very heart of the salon experience rather than hide it away in a back room.
That vision made her a pioneer. She turned hair colour into an art form and made her salon a destination. More than three decades later, Jo remains the only woman in British hairdressing to have built a business and brand as powerful and respected as those of her male counterparts.
Jo Hansford MBE explains:
“I was up against it as soon as I opened my first salon, as it was the middle of a recession and other industry leaders said I would be lucky to last three months. I remember them saying, ‘She is a woman. She will soon be gone.’ I knew the transformative effect that colour could have, and I was determined to build a salon renowned for its expertise. I believe I have done just that.”
THREE DECADES OF LEADERSHIP
Over the past 32 years, Jo Hansford’s salon has not just stood the test of time, it has thrived through it. From weathering three recessions, including the 2008 financial crash, to navigating the challenges of COVID-19, the business has continued to grow, adapt and lead.
Thanks to one of the highest client retention rates in the industry, loyal clients returned the moment the doors reopened and new ones quickly followed, drawn by a renewed appreciation for the skill and professionalism of expert colourists and stylists.
Just months after the final lockdown was lifted, Jo Hansford expanded her legacy even further. In November 2022, she proudly opened her second salon inside Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, a bold move that solidified her place at the pinnacle of British hairdressing. What began as a small team of just eight people in 1993 has now flourished into a 90-strong collective comprising some of the most talented colourists and stylists in the industry.
Together with her daughter, Joanna Hansford, who serves as Managing Director, Jo has built more than salons; she has built a brand. The mother-and-daughter duo have created luxurious spaces that are now widely recognised as leading London destinations for expert colour, precision cuts and luxury styling.
The first salon
A small team of eight and a pioneering vision centred on expert colour.
The product range
Shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated to protect and enhance coloured hair.
Knightsbridge
A second salon opened inside Harvey Nichols, expanding the Jo Hansford legacy.
Royal Warrant
A prestigious honour recognising Jo’s long-standing service as hairdresser to Her Majesty The Queen.
FROM SALON TO PRODUCT INNOVATION
In response to the needs of their colour clients, they also launched the Jo Hansford product range in 2016, featuring shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated to protect and enhance coloured hair.
And in a truly momentous chapter of the Jo Hansford story, December 2024 saw the brand awarded a prestigious Royal Warrant - a rare and distinguished honour recognising Jo’s long-standing service as hairdresser to Her Majesty The Queen.
A GLOBAL FOLLOWING
Step into the Jo Hansford salon on any given day, and you will find a truly international mix of clients in the chairs. Many travel from across the globe - from Europe and America, and even from as far away as Australia - to have their hair coloured and styled by Jo’s expert team.
“We affectionately call them our ‘hair miles’ clients,” Jo says with a smile.
Jo's salon has built a loyal following that includes the rich and famous, British and international royalty, high-profile politicians, Hollywood stars, captains of industry and, of course, countless regular clients who simply want the very best in hair and care.
Jo Hansford MBE comments:
“All our clients receive the same treatment. We value every one of them and are always grateful that they choose to come to us. We never take them for granted, because as soon as you do, standards can slip. We never rest on our laurels. Our clients are accustomed to a five-star lifestyle built on quality and exceptional service, so we must deliver consistently at every touchpoint.”
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION
With the UK renowned for producing some of the world’s top stylists and colourists, Jo Hansford and her expert team proudly uphold that reputation and continue to help shape its future. As long-time supporters of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy, they mentor and train the next generation of talent, sharing their signature techniques and standards of excellence.
Their influence reaches far beyond London. The team has worked with stylists around the world, including in India, bringing British hairdressing expertise to an international stage.
Jo Hansford MBE comments:
“People do not always recognise hairdressing as a serious career, but it is a highly professional and skilled occupation in which you can be incredibly successful.”
“We offer a life-long career and many of our staff have been with us for 20 or more years.”
“It is wonderful to work in an industry that cannot currently be taken over by AI or robots, and in which we continue to use our judgement, creativity and skills. I still love my role and, when working alongside my team, there is nowhere else I would rather be.”
