Benjamin and Ryan first worked together over 12 years’ ago, having trained together with a well-known hairdressing group, where they developed their hairdressing skills and creativity to their highest level. 8 years on and Benjamin Ryan Hair is born…
Benjamin – Managing Director 
Benjamin began his career in hairdressing in 1994 and then went on to work with an International hairdressing brand between 1997-2004. Having developed into an extremely successful Stylist, with a strong client following, he decided to set up in business and opened Benjamin Ryan Hair on 14 March 2007.
As well as being an excellent stylist, he has a love of teaching and encouraging junior members of his team to become the best that they can be in hairdressing. He is also an established Session Stylist, having done the hair for many years for London / Milan / Paris Fashion Weeks including shows for Alexander McQueen, Missoni, through to Dries Van Noten and photo shoots working alongside supermodels, exclusive designers and Celebrities. He has also provided external training /demonstrations throughout the hairdressing industry.
Ryan – Managing Director 
Ryan began his career in hairdressing in 1992 with a large hairdressing group and in 1999 subsequently joined an International hairdressing brand. In January 2000 he became a member of British Fellowship of Hairdressing and also a FAME Team Winner the same year. He was a British Hairdresser of the Year Finalist in 2002 and 2003 consecutively. Ryan joined a Celebrity-owned salon in 2004 and progressed quickly to become the Manager of the salon. Having developed an excellent reputation and clientele, Ryan decided to join Benjamin in Partnership and opened Benjamin Ryan Hair.
Similarly to Benjamin, he has been involved with various photo shoots and Fashion Shows. He has also been an Educator for Wella in London and Manchester and represented Wella on stage at Salon International.
Between them they strive to develop the best hairdressing team and have developed their own unique training methods and cutting techniques which has been drawn from their vast experience.
Sarah – Creative Director 
Sarah began her hairdressing career in 1996 specialising mainly in Afro-Caribbean hair. She has since worked with a number of well-known International hairdressing brands and developed a variety of cutting/styling skills across all hair types as well as amazing up-do’s and red carpet hair.
Her outstanding reputation in hairdressing has also given her the opportunity to be a Stylist for many years to one of the UK’s most successful female solo artists – Jamelia.
Sarah brings years of experience and creativity to our team, as well as rare talent in both Afro-Caribbean and European hair.
Sarah says “I love working with Afro-Caribbean hair! As well as being creative with it I am very passionate about ensuring that my client’s hair is kept at it’s best, looking strong and healthy. It’s definitely a specialist skill and here in Birmingham there doesn’t seem to be many quality salons who can offer this expertise and a good professional service for Afro-Caribbean hair.”
Allan – Master Technician 
Allan began his hairdressing career at Toni and Guy over 11 years ago, working his way up to Technical Manager and achieving a L’Oreal Colour Specialist Degree.
Allan has worked as part of the Benjamin Ryan Hair team for over 3 years, graduating with a Schwarzkopf Master Colour Award (First Class).
His passion and creativeness for colour as well as his vision to create hair that looks fashionable as well as manageable for everyday and high-end fashion looks.
Lucy – Style Director & Colour Technician 
Lucy started her hairdressing career at the age of 14 with a salon in her hometown of Coleshill where she worked for 10 years.
In 2010 Lucy took the opportunity to work onboard a 6* Sea Bourne cruise ship, where she worked for 6 months as a Stylist.
Upon joining our team in 2010, Lucy re-trained with us on a 12-week intensive training program, which she passed with flying colours mastering all 14 classics. She is also experienced in all aspects of colour techniques with fabulous rounded skills in both styling and colour.
Lucy is also fully trained in the Keratin Brazilian Blow Dry treatments, amazing up-do’s, Balmain hair extensions and has a great eye for fashion!
Jade – Colour Technician 
Jade began her career at the tender age of 15 & won awards for her efforts during her training, showing true promise at an early stage in her career. Having gained colour expertise with Nicky Clarke salon in Birmingham, Jade has developed a fantastic reputation & client following. She brings to our team an infectious passion for colour & the vision to create fashion forward but manageable looks.
Kene Franklin – Style Director 
Kene’s natural creativity and flair was acknowledged in 1979 when he joined the Artistic Team at Vidal Sassoon and within six years in 1985, was instated as Artistic Director with the Trevor Sorbie International Creative Team. Kene travelled extensively worldwide representing Trevor Sorbie at international shows and seminars and played a huge part in developing key techniques still used today.
In 1989, he founded a flagship salon where client satisfaction was successfully teamed with the latest and most innovative hairdressing techniques and facilities. Kene’s ever-increasing passion and expertise once again lead him to travel; he represented Wella internationally and worked for various prominent American brands including Shideo and Matrix. His profile was further increased by gracing numerous national and international hairdressing trade publications and editorials and guesting notable television shows throughout America and Britain; Rickie Lake, Jenny Jones, GMTV and This Morning.
Kene created key catwalk looks for various fashion designers including Alexander McQueen and has worked alongside some of the most eminent names in hairdressing including Trevor Sorbie, Anthony Mascolo of Toni & Guy, Tim Hartley of Vidal Sassoon, Charles Worthington and Patrick Cameron.
Kene’s unique skill, charismatic personality and natural gift for presenting have endured his profile on the national and international hairdressing circuit, thus creating a name that has fast become globally recognised and undoubtedly, one of British hairdressing’s greatest exports.
Kene’s vast experience & outstanding reputation is a welcome addition to our team!
Nick – Top Stylist 
Nick joined Benjamin Ryan Hair straight from school, completing his NVQ Level 2 Qualification and has undergone intense training as part of the Benjamin Ryan training programme, passing all of the 14 classics.
He was chosen earlier this year to become a member of the Sebastian MOB Programme, which is designed to harness the talent of the most creative and bold stylist in-salon to enthuse and inspire his colleagues.
Extremely creative, with a unique style, taking his inspiration from Catwalk trends Nick has developed into a fantastic stylist with an eye for avant-garde styles and will be one to watch for the future!
James – Stylist 
James has always had a keen interest in fashion and hairdressing, so opting for a career change he completed an intensive training course with a major salon group and flourished within the hairdressing profession.
He qualified in level 2 (cutting and colouring) and then trained a further year within a busy City centre salon, before moving onto a Celebrity-owned salon.
James joined us to gain further hairdressing skills and experience, whilst developing his creative flair through the events, fashion shows and photo shoots that the Benjamin Ryan team are proactively working on.
Lara – Assistant 
Lara began her hairdressing training with Benjamin Ryan Hair straight from school at the age of 16 and has now completed her NVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing. She is currently undertaking the Benjamin Ryan Hair training program and will be qualifying as a Stylist later this year. Once qualified, Lara wishes to build up a good client base and hopes to build on her cutting skills and techniques.
Sam – Assistant 
Sam started his hairdressing career at the young age of 14, spending 4 years in local salons, whilst completing his NVQ’s. He made the move into Birmingham to develop and progress his hairdressing career. After working for two prestige salons and a celebrity hairdresser he chose to join our team to undertake the Benjamin Ryan Hair training program, which will ensure that he develops hairdressing skills to an exceptional standard. He is looking forward to qualifying early next year and building his reputation with a strong client base.
Jess – Assistant 
Laura – Assistant 
Laura has always been interested in the hair industry & having walked past Benjamin Ryan many times, she said that the salon really appealed to her, especially as she’d heard it was a great place to work, with an experienced team & good training. Her aim is to complete her NVQ’s and work hard to develop her hairdressing skills to become a qualified member of the team.
Reena – Senior Beauty Therapist 
Reena has worked within the beauty industry for over 6 years, starting with a local beauty salon, working for a spray tan company and more recently working for the prestigious Hotel du Vin Spa where she has treated many top celebrity clients.
Reena is a fully qualified Beauty therapist with additional qualifications in Hot Stone Therapy, Hopi Ear Candling, Ascension Reiki, Crystal Dowsing and Spray Tanning.
She now specialises in the luxurious product – Decleor, Jessica and Shellac nails, as well as Hollywood Semi-Permanent Eyelashes and offers an extensive range of treatments.
Her forte is speed waxing, facials and spray tanning and she loves nothing more than her clients leaving her treatment room feeling fully relaxed and revitalized!
Kate – Front of House 
Having worked with Benjamin Ryan as an Assistant for a number of years, Kate has become our Front of House expert. With full knowledge of our services and treatments, she is well placed to advise you and will welcome you to the salon with her exceptional customer service skills.
Claudia – Operations Director 
Claudia is responsible for the day to day running of the salon, as well as driving the business. With a background in sales, management, advertising and recruitment, she has invaluable skills to run all aspects of the salon. Her role includes PR/marketing, HR, business planning, networking, client service and general administrative/management duties. She has excellent contacts within Birmingham, is a board Director for Retail Birmingham in her capacity as ‘Independents Champion’. as well as sitting on the committee for Birmingham Young Professional of the Year. She was also the winner of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year – Recruitment & Training Category in 2008.
