Andrew Barton marks four decades in British hairdressing

Hairdresser Andrew Barton, renowned for his creativity and bold ideas, is celebrating 40 years at the top of the industry.

With a reputation built not only on skill but also his ability to continuously evolve, Andrew began his career as a hairdressing apprentice. Over four decades his work has bridged fashion, beauty, art and culture.

He gained wide recognition as the resident hair expert on the TV programme 10 Years Younger whilst winning professional accolades including British Hairdresser of the Year 2006 and British Hair Icon. In 2017, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by Southampton Solent University for his services to hairdressing. 

Andrew's current roles include UK Cut & Style Artist for Keune, Creative Director at Racoon International and Group Brand Lead at Bloom Salons, working across locations in Aberdeen, Glasgow and The House of Keune by Bloom in London.

He is also the founder of ABLE (Andrew Barton London Education), a scholarship programme delivered exclusively in further education colleges. “I got tired of hearing people in the industry complain about college training without doing anything to fix it. So, I decided to stop talking and start doing. ABLE is about bridging that gap and helping students get the skills and confidence they need to thrive,” he explains. 

In 2025, he co-launched Split Ends with Andrew & Olga, a YouTube and podcast series sharing real insight into the heart of the hair industry whilst hosting celebrity guests.

Andrew is also Ambassador for England for the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, Honorary Ambassador for the Hair & Barber Council, Wig Industry Ambassador for the Hairdressing & Beauty Suppliers Association (HBSA) and Hairdresser Ambassador for The Little Princess Trust.

Away from the hairdressing, he is Patron of The British Association of Adoption & Fostering, Ambassador for anti-bullying charity Kidscape and  Patron of Project Eileen, a ground-breaking schools programme helping young people navigate grief and loss.

Despite his lengthy career, Andrew continues to channel his experience into fresh concepts, creative collaboration and mentoring the next generation of hair professionals.

He says:

“Every project I take on is fuelled by what I've learned, but it's never about repeating the past. My experience doesn't hold me back – it pushes me forward. It gives me the confidence to try new things, to explore new formats, and to help others do the same.

“The more I've achieved, the more I want to give back. Supporting the next generation is one of the most important things I can do as a hairdresser today.”