The story of salonguru

At the start of his career Phil spent 20 years in the computer software sector; designing, creating & installing complex systems. Phil has a vast knowledge of many software languages and operating systems and designed and developed some of the early Internet websites in the mid-1990s.

For over 25 years Phil has been involved in the marketing and management of hairdressing salons. His expertise includes salon website design, search engine optimisation, email marketing and social media. His skills help Salon Guru's clients to improve turnover, attract new clients and retain customer loyalty.

Phil thrives on the fast pace of digital marketing innovation and the massive opportunities this offers to all hairdressing salons, barber shops and beauty salons. He has written articles on the subject of salon marketing for many well-known magazines including Professional Hairdresser, Creative Head and Nails Magazine.

When not at his computer (which is not very often!) Phil can be found playing padel, hiking or indulging in Spanish tapas.

Technical Director Sam Kennedy has been at our MD Phil Evans' side since before the inception of Salon Guru.

He is responsible for overseeing the technical team and is the lead programmer on special projects, integration with external systems and creating bespoke systems such as Late Deals, Best Salon Guide, and YourSalon.

With a BSc from the Open University, Sam has over twenty years of experience in server administration and a wealth of knowledge in this field. As a self-taught technical whiz, Sam has the drive and thirst for knowledge when it comes to seeking out online solutions for Salon Guru client requests.

The mid-80s and the gift of a new Sinclair ZX 81 computer started an obsession with all things computer-related for our technical Guru, Sam.

Sarah Kitt is Salon Guru's Client Director, responsible for managing the Salon Guru team and helping shape the direction of the business. She also looks after a select number of UK salons and oversees the creation of new salon websites so they work effectively, look beautiful, and contain SEO content to help drive more clients through salon doors.

Sarah is an experienced writer and communicator with more than 30 years’ experience in marketing, media communications and public relations. As a trained journalist, she is skilled in designing and writing websites, creating newsletters and press releases, and producing content for magazines and newspapers.

A key member of the team since 2012, Sarah also writes awards entries, delivers effective online marketing campaigns, and provides guidance on the effective use of social media channels, and Google Business Profiles for our clients.

Max Stephens is the business development manager at Salon Guru joining us in 2024, Max’s role at Guru is to ensure the business and team is aligned for success in the ever changing Hair & Beauty space as well as gearing the business up for growth.

Max has worked with Salon, Spas & Clinics for over 10 years collaborating closely with business owners as well as stylists to understand exactly what is required to accelerate growth & revenue as well as keeping teams motivated.

From working with single locations to chains in the wellness industry Max knows what is required for a business to elevate not only their in-house operations but most importantly ensuring their digital presence is as strong as possible to increase revenue and thrive.

Shane joined Salon Guru as a Technical Manager in January 2015 after working within the hair and beauty industry at a salon in London. With a strong background in marketing and technology, he joined Salon Guru initially on a part-time basis to help our Technical Director move all of the server systems into WP Engine.

Over the years, he has completed every role within the Salon Guru Tech Team: building new client websites, consulting on SEO problems, building WordPress plugins, managing email migrations and setting up processes and frameworks for other tech team members to follow, as the company has grown.

Shane is not just responsible for the smooth running of the companies' server-based systems, he is also available to answer support queries raised by other Salon Guru staff and clients.

Shane is a certified AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) and has attended several Technical SEO webinars to gain further experience from the likes of Search Engine Land's expert Eric Enge.

Kate Allt manages our team of Client Managers, providing guidance, support and fresh ideas to ensure each individual gives the best possible service to our clients wherever they are in the world.

She also offers expert client management to a number of our UK clients, ensuring their websites are up-to-date, and tending to their online marketing needs on a daily basis.

Kate has strong organisational skills in a multi-disciplined role which involves writing website copy that is Search Engine Optimised, creating effective newsletters, blogs and complex content for our many clients. She also works alongside our team of web designers on website makeovers as and when required.

Kate spent over a year working for a leading UK hair extensions brand before joining the Salon Guru team in 2014. She is an expert communicator and writer.

Jane Slavin is Salon Guru’s Website Designer, responsible for designing client websites and the frontend development of new sites. She works within the Tech Team where she helps to solve problems and develop new innovative solutions to online marketing challenges.

Jane has over 20 years of experience in design and marketing. With a degree in Graphic Arts, Jane started her career as a Graphic Designer where she designed and developed brands for multiple businesses.

From there Jane joined a marketing company and began honing her skills in online marketing and web development where she even developed a website for the NHS.

Jane joined Salon Guru on a freelance basis in 2019 and is now a full-time member of the team. Jane works closely with the Client Managers to create fabulous website designs perfectly suited to each individual client.

Gail Paxton Murray is an experienced Client Manager who looks after our clients in the USA.

She is an accomplished Direct Marketing professional with 30+ years' experience in web and print marketing for B2B and B2C companies. A skilled communicator, Gail oversees the website builds for our American clients and co-ordinates their ongoing marketing requirements.

After receiving a BS in Marketing at West Chester University, Gail started her early career in the cosmetics industry. She spent 20 years working for Yves Rocher, a French skincare company, progressing to marketing director for US and Canadian customer loyalty.

With the shift in technology towards the web, Gail led Yves Rocher as they modernised their website and she was the project manager for their e-commerce renovation. Gail became a pioneer in online selling techniques, web analytics, merchandising and email marketing.

Client Manager Stef Walker manages many of our UK salons. She focuses on their bespoke marketing needs which range from ensuring their websites are Search Engine Optimised, writing informative pages and blogs, and creating and sending eye-catching newsletters.

She is also experienced in delivering expert Google Business Profile Management services, offering insights and strategic input to enhance a salon's visibility & reputation in local search results, making it easier for potential clients to find them online.

A hairdresser by trade, Stef ran and managed a busy city centre salon in Manchester City Centre for over 10 years.

Her creative eye and talent for precision cutting saw her work closely alongside leading global haircare brands to deliver high-quality hairdressing training and in-salon education.

Stacey joined the team in 2018 as a Client Manager looking after many of our clients across the UK, Australia and Dubai. She also leads our Social Media team, providing our clients with the tools they need to improve their social media platforms, either showing them how to do it for themselves or posting on their behalf.

Her skills include writing Search Engine Optimised website content, updating client Google Business Profiles, creating dynamic newsletters, graphic design, crafting bespoke marketing plans, and effectively using social media to boost client visibility.

Stacey plans smart marketing strategies to get more people to notice and enjoy our clients' websites. She also keeps an eye on what's trending and uses her knowledge to ensure client websites are packed with useful information that will get them noticed.

Since joining Salon Guru in 2018, Charlotte has worked her way up from Copywriter to Client Manager and through this has honed her skills in creating SEO websites for hair and beauty salons.

Charlotte is now an experienced Client Manager, responsible for looking after a range of hair, beauty and aesthetics salons across the UK and Europe.

Charlotte helps these salons fulfil their marketing plans by creating Search Engine Optimised (SEO) pages, blogs and newsletters tailored to each client’s individual needs.

Charlotte is highly skilled in the written language and communicating as she has a first-class Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in English.

Charlotte also has specialist knowledge of TikTok and how to best use the TikTok Shop. She was part of a team that won the UK's Greatest TikTok Award for outstanding use of all that the TikTok app has to offer.

Lotty Marais joined Salon Guru in 2024 as a Client Manager. Her role involves supporting the team of Client Managers by writing Search Engine Optimised content for websites, creating interesting newsletter content, and writing inspirational blogs.

After achieving an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Gender Studies, Lotty completed her Masters in Political Science in 2017. During this time, she worked with an LGBTIQ+ organisation in Kampala, Uganda, researching the rights of minority communities in relation to education, healthcare, and employment.

Since completing her studies, she has worked as a researcher and writer at a refugee rights organisation, and within various educational and digital marketing sectors. This has enabled her to hone her writing skills and work with a range of clients from health and wellness to technology, e-learning, and travel.

Originally a celebrated furniture designer, Mike has spent many years interpreting his clients' visions and turning this into a design reality. He has designed iconic furniture for internationally famous pop stars, TV shows, sports celebrities and nightclubs.

Over the last decade, Mike has turned from the real world of furniture to the virtual world of web graphics. Using tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, Mike creates the visuals that will make your salon website stand out from the crowd.

Joe Hunt joined Salon Guru in an administrative role in 2014, helping the Managing Director and Finance Directors with the day-to-day running of the business. Focusing mainly on the financial side of the company, Joe quickly involved himself with collaborating and analysing the data required to produce the documents needed for the upper management team to successfully profile the growth and improvement of the business. This, coupled with his continued management of invoicing and billing, forms a key part of Joe’s role in the company .