HER Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the Charlie Miller hair salon and training academy at Colinton Road, Edinburgh, on the morning of Wednesday 12th April – to highlight the company’s 50th year in business and unveil a commemorative plaque to mark the company’s half-century of service, creativity, innovation, education and business growth.
The Princess Royal also heard more about the company’s work with the Hair 4 U project and Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) referral patients.
Her Royal Highness was welcomed on arrival by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Donald Wilson, the Rt Hon The Lord Provost and introduced to co-founders Charlie Miller OBE and Janet Miller; their sons Jason and Joshua Miller (joint managing directors); India Miller (director) – who, alongside husband, Jason, is regarded around the world as being amongst the UK’s most influential hair designers – and Ian Blyth (director and educator).
Jason and Joshua Miller commented: “From origins that began in a hairdressing salon in a small housing estate in the Prestonfield area of Edinburgh, the business has come a long way and the visit by HRH The Princess Royal is a tremendous honour for our family, directors, managers and all members of Charlie Miller.
“The most significant focus during the past 50 years has always been about answering the needs of every client with genuineness, empathy and warmth and to motivate and encourage staff to aspire to evolve with a caring and inspirational heart. We’ve enjoyed 50 years together and are looking forward to continuing this amazing journey.”
The Princess Royal was shown around by Jason and Joshua Miller and, during a reception, Charlie Miller OBE introduced The Princess Royal to his very first young cancer patient, Liza Freehand, whose real hair wig he cut and styled in 2007.
The Princess Royal was also introduced to TCT referral patient, Amy Connelly, and representatives from the Western General and Hospital for Sick Kids.
During the tour, The Princess Royal also met longest-serving clients, Alan Collins, Bill Paton, Isla Duncan and Marion Mackintosh, as well as managers, assistant managers and other members of Charlie Miller, including those who have worked with the family business in excess of 20 years.
The company’s six ‘Trainees of the Year’ – who are representative of the company’s successful apprenticeship training programme – were also introduced to The Princess Royal whilst demonstrating some of their cutting and styling skills.
At the end of her visit, and in honour of the company’s golden milestone, The Princess Royal unveiled a commemorative plaque in the first floor training academy and was presented with a charitable donation to the Princess Anne’s Charities Trust along with a posy of flowers.
ENDS
Official photographs (available after 1pm on 12th April) and for further information please contact 0131 225 1639/ 07771776456.
Notes to editors:
Charlie Miller Hairdressing – 50 years ago passion sparked a legend and set the hairdressing world alight. Through decades of growth and achievement, that passion has been a constant, inspiring every aspect of the Charlie Miller brand, loved and respected by clients and industry colleagues alike.
Headed by sons Jason and Joshua Miller (joint managing directors) – with creative and artistic director, India Miller (wife of Jason) and family friend of 45 years, director and educator, Ian Blyth – the business has grown to five successful Edinburgh city salons with 120 staff, a hair academy and a host of industry accolades and is synonymous with style, quality and creativity – providing top-quality hairdressing and service at the forefront of the UK industry.
Along the way, there have been exciting changes, new salons, global recognition and prestigious awards -www.charliemiller.com/artistic-team.
Equally passionate people have joined this family enterprise, sharing their vision and dedication. From day one, quality has been a crucial part of the company’s DNA, with the team striving to be the best in everything it does from showcasing runway glamour to creating real-life styles.
In a world that rarely stands still or catches its breath, it is a business built on personal relationships and taking time to listen and nurture. Genuineness, empathy and warmth have always been key values at the heart of the Charlie Miller philosophy. They continue to guide the company as it celebrates a dazzling past and looks to an equally bright future.
Half a century since the first salon opened, self-awareness and continuous analysis help the company stay true to its values, reflect on its strengths, improve performance and provide a strong foundation for moving forward. The road before was solid silver. Ahead lies pure gold. Charlie Miller remains restless as ever.
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‘HAIR 4 U’ PROJECT – It all began in 2007, whilst styling the wig for young cancer patient, Liza Freeland, that Charlie Miller became aware for the first time about the difficulties that young people can have in getting a wig that was right for them, when losing their hair to cancer. He also learned about the Teenage Cancer Trust – a fundraising charity devoted to improving the quality of life and chances of survival of young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24.
That one conversation led to the creation and launch of the successful wig project ‘Hair 4 U’. The long-term aim of the project is to ensure every young person with cancer has the opportunity to have a stylishly cut, real hair wig absolutely free. Orchestrated by Charlie, he was responsible for and instrumental in setting up the Hair 4 U project and he personally selected some of the country’s top stylists, to bring them on board.
Today, this free service, with Charlie and Jason’s backing of the TCT, is now available throughout most geographical regions in Scotland (Glasgow, Stirling, Kirkcaldy, Aberdeen and Dundee) and in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Wynyard, Leeds, Southampton, Winchester, St Albans, Birmingham, Cardiff, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Nottingham, Chester and Hull.
In 2012, Charlie handed over the reins to Jason who continues to look after referral TCT patients within Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Since 2007, the TCT have paid for over 930 wigs through the Hair 4 U project throughout the UK.
www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/what-we-do/hair4u.
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