History of the NHF

The National Hairdressers' Federation was formed some 60 years ago, but it can trace its history back over 115 years to the foundation of the Oldham Hairdressers' Association. There is no reason to suppose that the Oldham hairdressers were the first to form an association, but records are hard to find. It is known that as early as 1831, there was a benevolent organisation for hairdressers, which suggests that hairdressers had by then banded together to form some sort of association.

In 1942, the National Federation of Hairdressers Limited and the Northern Counties Hairdressers Federation - the two largest hairdressing organisations - amalgamated to form the National Hairdresssers' Federation.

Within a short time of the amalgamation, other hairdressing organisations pooled their resources with the Federation. They were the Scottish Masters' Hairdressers' Association, the North East Hairdressers Amalgamated, the Welsh Hairdressers' Federation, and numerous other smaller societies. Some of the smaller societies were quite influential such as the Nottingham Hairdressers' Association and the Leicester Hairdressers' Association, both covering their respective counties.

The last influential and long-standing organisation to amalgamate was the London and Provincial Hairdressers' Association that had its office in London. The society wound up and joined en bloc in January 1958. This society was the one remaining organisation representing the employer class of hairdresser to come within the fold.

The National Hairdressers' Federation today exists to represent hairdressing salon and beauty therapy business owners in Great Britain and self employed hairdressers and beauticians working in a salon. Membership is open to individuals, partners, directors and firms who meet the above criteria.