Meet the Education Team

European Education Director

Jacqui McIntosh

Jacqui McIntosh is a powerhouse within the hairdressing industry who has enjoyed a storied career. Working across all sectors of the hair industry in a number of roles, such as a technical educator, salon manager, and teacher/assessor, Jacqui has been an in-demand technical expert and platform artist for a variety of brands across the UK and internationally.

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Joining Avlon over 22 years ago as an educator, she has greatly contributed to Avlon’s reputation for offering an exemplary service when it comes to the delivery of education. Jacqui now works as Avlon’s Director of Education, overseeing and managing the educational teams throughout Europe and Africa.

Describing her lasting relationship with Avlon, she points to the brand’s commitment to product innovation and understanding the science of hair as a few key reasons why she finds working with the brand so rewarding. “I’ve worked with some of the best scientists while working for Avlon, such as Dr Ali.Syed” she states. “One of the things I love the most is they are passionate about the science of hair and understanding how everything works, which I love because I’ve always enjoyed learning about the science of hair, even since the days I was training.”

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As well as technical hair education, Jacqui also leads on online training workshops that help Avlon salons understand the practicalities of managing a successful business. Having inspired her peers and students alike through her tireless commitment to evolving as a hair professional, and her desire to see the Afro hair industry be regarded as the formidable creative force that it is, we are confident that Jacqui will continue to influence the industry and be a champion for change for many years to come.

Educator

Jennifer Samuels

Jennifer Samuels is an international educational consultant who specialises in the maintenance and services of Afro textured hair. For 10 years she has served as Avlon’s Educational Consultant in the North of England but has also represented Avlon in international territories including parts of Africa and European countries like the Netherlands.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Jennifer is well placed to offer clients; aspiring hairstylists and employees with all the practical and theoretical tools needed on how to style and maintain textured hair to the highest of standards.

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With such a strong passion and commitment to education, Jennifer has become sought after and revered amongst her peers, businesses and educational institutions alike. It is Jennifer’s commitment to the industry and willingness to share knowledge makes her the perfect Avlon educator. She says: “I was delighted to be approached by Avlon all those years ago to become an educator for the brand. Avlon is such a prestigious brand that’s very complementary to Afro hair. It’s so reassuring to know that a brand creates products that are formulated with thorough research and they take the time out to educate stylists on how to use the products effectively. It really fills you with plenty of confidence as a stylist.”  

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In addition to her work in education, Jennifer has also completed a business degree which has solidified her experience in the industry where she has been successfully running a salon based in Wolverhampton, called Ferinnje Hair & Beauty. This venture has been serving the community for over 15 years. She has also been nominated for various awards and was the first to put Wolverhampton on the map as an award-winner for Black Beauty/Sensationnel Hair Award for Northern Stylist of the Year in 2000.

Educator

Lathaniel Chambers

Lathaniel Chambers has risen through the ranks of hairdressing to become one of the most creative, innovative, and inspirational stylists in the UK. Born and bred in Southeast London, the outstanding talent has already clocked up an impressive number of accolades in his burgeoning career, including winning nine Black Beauty Sensationnel Awards, becoming the youngest ever recipient to win the Stylist of the Year Award at the very same event in 2017.

Equally impressive, Lathaniel has received five nominations for Afro Hairstylist of The Year at the coveted British Hairdressing Awards (BHA), regarded within the industry as the Oscars of hairdressing. 

Lathaniel has been teaching for Avlon throughout London, for over 10 years, conducting seminars, group classes and one-to-one sessions for trainees and established stylists alike.

The star stylist has helped his students hone their skills with his trademark hands-on, affable approach that leaves them feeling empowered to work to their highest standard and emboldened to express themselves creatively. Lathaniel himself has achieved up to Level 3 NVQ and holds a PTLL teacher training qualification. 

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Between session styling, producing editorial shoots and his educator work with Avlon, Lathaniel also runs a successful hair salon in Brixton, the self-titled Lathaniel Couture Hair & Beauty, which specialises in Afro textured hair. Commenting on his plans for his future, Lathaniel states enthusiastically, “I’d love to do more work on celebrity styling in the future actually, and perhaps open an academy as well as see the salon continue to grow.” 

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With such a promising future ahead, there is no doubt that Lathaniel’s goals will come into fruition. We are delighted and honoured to have him in the Avlon family, inspiring a new generation of hairstylists to come.

Educator

Serena Giscombe

Based in Sheffield where she travels throughout the North of England as an Avlon Northern Educator, hairstylist Serena Giscombe has been in business of hairdressing for over 20 years. 

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In 2011 Serena was named Northern Stylist of the Year at the Black Beauty Sensational Awards and went on to win this title on two further occasions, which led to her entering the coveted Hall of Fame category. Serena also founded her own salon in Sheffield named Nuba Hair & Beauty Salon, which specialised in all types of hair with particularly emphasis placed on mixed/Black textured hair. 

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Serena is an extremely passionate advocate for hair equality. She believes that all hairstylists should be well versed on how to style and maintain textured hair. As a woman of mixed heritage who grew up in an area where there were very few non-white people around, she strongly believes that the industry needs to move with the times and become more inclusive and embracing of all hair textures. She says, “I grew up in the Lake District, and there were no Black people around to do my hair, so I’m really passionate about education. I want to help this next generation of hairstylists feel empowered to style Afro hair - I feel like I owe it to them.” 

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As part of her role, Serena delivers seminars in cities such as Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham and also provides demonstrations on how to achieve key hairstyles and apply styling techniques using Avlon’s extensive product range.