The Richard Ward Academy
Richard’s team of talented experts educate and lecture both in the UK and internationally, sharing their best practice and expertise with a diverse cross-section of the industry – from apprentices and both young or experienced hairdressers and barbers, to fledgling or established salon and spa managers, owners, franchisees, groups and chains. Now offering their education in-house, the salon not only makes a perfect training environment but also delivers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes success of the eponymous, award-winning hair and spa brand.
Our Educators
Hellen Ward – Co-founder Hellen‘s vast experience in salon marketing and management makes her the definitive hair & beauty salon business guru. Much in demand, her media profile and trademark coaching and education takes her to global forums, sharing her systems and strategies for salons and spas in her seminars, books, columns, public speaking, guest appearances, salon management systems and private consultancy work.
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Mario Charalambous – Technical Director Mario is renowned in the industry for his unrivalled, encyclopedic colour knowledge. His long career and vast experience have led to his reputation as one of the leading colourists of his generation. Mario lectures and educates on an international level and he continues to inspire and educate in how to deliver an unrivalled salon colour experience. Deputy Technical Director Adam Russell works with Mario to deliver our Couture Colour courses.
Nando Lopes – Education Director Nando is quite simply (in Richard’s opinion) one of the most gifted hairdressers of his generation. His role as lead mentor and educator of the RW Apprentice team has led to an unprecedented 75% of the salon’s senior team having been inspired and motivated to learn from his unique skill-set, and his talents have undoubtedly led the salon to be synonymous with the flawless finish of couture hair.
Cristiano Basciu – Artistic Director Crissy is without question the celebrity and fashionista’s go-to stylist of choice. His reputation for cutting edge session work precedes him, and he single-handedly ensures the RW Art Team are always at the forefront of glamorous, catwalk hair, working extensively with the media and a stable of innovative UK fashion houses and designers. Style Director Tommy Cracknell works with Crissy to deliver our Chelsea Blow Dry Workshops.
Fiona Chandler-Day – Salon Director Fiona is renowned as being one of the most experienced and talented hairdressers of her generation when it comes to all things chignon. The Queen of the Up-Do, Fiona’s trademark attention to intricate detail has ensured that her specialist skills in bridal and evening hair continue to be much in demand, as well as inspiring the next generation of hairdressers. Fiona works with Richard himself to deliver our Couture Bride workshops.
Shelley Pedersen – Technical Training Manager Shelley has a wealth of knowledge in all things colour. An ex-educator of the prestigious L’Oreal Colour Degree, Shelley’ creative vision and insightfulness in colour technologies are testament to her vast specialist skills and colour prowess. Shelley manages the RW Academy as well as assisiting Nando, our Education Director, in the training of the RW Apprentice team, as well as looking after her loyal clientele of devotees.
From half day seminars and workshops to courses and bespoke training programmes, the Richard Ward Education Academy embraces a holistic, 360 degree approach to encompass the very best in comprehensive education as well as training and teaching on the latest innovations within the sector.
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Courses, Seminars & Workshops
Couture Service
Monday 20th January 2020
£165 – 1 day
The RW philosophy is all about creating an exceptional client experience as standard. We beleive there’s no such thing as a bad haircut, colour or beauty treatment – just a sub-standard consultation. Gavin lectures all over the world on the art of mastering how to deliver exceptional service, and coupled with Shelley’s technical expertise as one of the leading educators of her generation, they discover the art of refining the service and the pre and post service consultation to deliver outstanding results and maximise on each client’s visit. A must for any salon owner wishing to hone their own User Experience and take a blueprint for excellence back to their teams.
Educators: Gavin Hoare Salon Manager & Shelley Pedersen Technical Training Manager
Student profile: Any salon owner, soon-to-be salon owner, franchisee, decision-making manager or customer service manager.
This 1 day seminar includes:
Morning – theory & demonstration
- The changing market
- Defining the Ultimate Customer Experience
- 10 steps in the Client Journey
- Precise pre-service consultation skills
- Optimising post-service consultation skills
Light lunch included
Afternoon – interactive workshop
- Role play
- Round table discussion and networking
The Chelsea Blow Dry Workshop
Monday 24th February
£165 – 1 day
The art of dressing hair and creating a beautiful finish thorough skillful blow-drying has become the signature RW look, with the company’s Chelsea Blow Dry now famous all over the world. Sharing their unique methodologies, the team demonstrate and teach just how to create beautiful, couture hair. Renowned for their trademark classic styling, the team share their tips and tricks for delivering the ultimate salon finish, from product knowledge to educating on the tools needed to achieve the signature RW look and the techniques for creating the perfect blow dry.
Educators: Cristiano Basciu Artistic Director & Tommy Cracknell Style Director
Student profile: Any hairdresser with a desire to up-skill their round brush blow-drying technique
This 1 day seminar includes:
Morning – theory & demonstration
- Defining The Chelsea Blow Dry
- Which tools deliver which results
- Sectioning correctly
- Creating volume
- Creating sleekness
Light lunch included
Afternoon – practical (models are provided)
- Hands-on tuition
- Techniques for volume and sleekness
- Product application
- Proper use of tools
- Creating different looks
- Getting the perfect finish
Troubleshooting Workshops with Hellen Ward
Sometimes running a salon isn’t all plain sailing. But where do you go for advice on key issues that are hard to share with people who don’t understand the industry? Hellen’s Troubleshooting Workshops offer the solution. New for 2020, each one-day seminar is held at the salon and gives you the chance to not only peek behind the scenes of the largest and most successful independent salon in the UK, but offers a unique opportunity to network with other salon owners.
Each seminar is interactive and gives the delegate a chance to get specialist, confidential advice on their own specific issues, whether HR related or financial.
Student Profile
Any salon owner, soon-to-be salon owner, franchisee or decision-making manager.
Team Troubleshooting
Monday 23rd March 2020
£195 – 1 day
Most salon owners don’t have specific HR expertise, so when it comes to dealing with internal staff performance issues it can be a real headache. In such a labour-intensive sector, making sure we maximise our team performance is crucial, and while proper legal advice is essential for Disciplinary Procedure, how to deliver it is often lacking. Hellen takes delegates through her tried and tested methods to successfully confront staff problems and improve all elements of performance to benefit the employee and the salon owner.
Morning
Hellen tackles 6 key HR aspects in bullet point format:
- Performance related issues
- Attitude problems
- Staff saboteurs – dealing with the bad apples who sabotage the team
- How to conduct difficult meetings
- Systems and procedures to follow
- Ongoing issue management
Afternoon
Using their own HR situations, Hellen and the delegates discuss solutions and use role play to discover the best methods of tackling difficult, specific performance problems.
Price includes light lunch and refreshments.
Money Troubleshooting
Monday 1st June 2020
£195 – 1 day
Morning
Hellen tackles 6 key financial issues in bullet point format:
- Challenging client visit frequency decline
- Dealing with increased costs
- Improving dwindling income streams
- Honing profitability & margins
- Industry specific challenges
- External economic factors
Afternoon
Using the delegates’ specific issues, Hellen chairs a round-table format to share best practice on tackling turnover related concerns, using her results-driven systems and procedures to tackle difficult financial problems.
Price includes light lunch and refreshments.
Focusing on all things financial, Hellen gets to the root of how to increase profitability and takes participants through her 6 point plan to cover the biggest problems salon owners traditionally face in the sector, all delivered in her trademark, non-nonsense ‘hairdresser speak’ style.
To book any of our education packages please email [email protected]
