32 Years of Jo Hansford: 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.
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 wasn’t just out to join the ranks, she was out to change the game and that’s exactly what she did.
From day one, Jo Hansford set out to do something different. At a time when coloured hair was still a taboo, and grey was usually covered with a weekly blue rinse, Jo saw a unique opportunity: to put colour at the very heart of the salon experience, not tucked away in the back room.
That vision made her a pioneer. She turned hair colour into an art form and made her salon a destination. Over three decades later, Jo is still the only woman in British hairdressing to have built a business brand as powerful and respected as her male counterparts.
Jo Hansford MBE explains:
“I was up against it as soon as I opened my first salon given 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’s a woman, she’ll soon be gone’. I knew the transformative effect colour had and I was determined to build a salon renowned for its expertise and I think I’ve done just that.”
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 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 in 1993 has now flourished into a 90-strong collective of some of the most talented colourists and stylists in the business.
Together with her daughter, Joanna Hansford, who serves as Managing Director, Jo has built more than just salons, she’s built a brand. The mother-daughter duo have created luxurious spaces that are now widely recognised as London’s go-to destinations for expert colour, precision cuts, and luxury styling. Listening to the needs of their colour clients, they also launched the Jo Hansford product range in 2016, including 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.
Step into the Jo Hansford salon on any given day, and you’ll find a truly international mix of clients in the chairs. Many travel from across the globe from Europe, America, even as far as Australia, just 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 includes everyone from the rich and famous to Royalty both British and international as well as high-profile politicians, Hollywood stars, captains of industry, and of course, countless loyal regulars who simply want the very best in hair and care.
Jo Hansford MBE comments:
“All our clients get the same treatment. We value each and every one of them and are always grateful that they choose to come to us. We never take them for granted – as soon as you do that standards can slip. We never ever rest on our laurels. Our clients are used to having a five star lifestyle based on quality and exceptional service, and we therefore have to constantly deliver at every touch point.”
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 have helped to 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, with the team having worked with stylists across the globe including in India, bringing British hairdressing expertise to an international stage.
Jo Hansford MBE comments:
“People don’t recognise hairdressing as a serious career but it is a highly professional and skilled job and you can be incredibly successful through it.”
“We offer a life-long career and many of our staff have been with us for 20 or more years.”
“It’s fabulous to be in an industry that currently cannot be taken over by AI or robots and we still get to use our brains and skillset. I still love my role and, to work alongside my team, there really is no better place I would rather be.”
From humble beginnings to royal recognition, Jo Hansford’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to her craft.
