Fiona Johnston
The Owner of Trigg Hair Studio, Edinburgh
About me
I’m Fiona Johnston, founder of Trigg Hair Studio & The Curly Coach (Academy) in Edinburgh. A multi-award-winning creative company known for quality, edge, and high standards. With nearly 40 years in the industry, I’ve built a business that’s commercially smart and creatively led. Our success comes from staying ahead of the curve—being inclusive, curly specialists, and building a culture where clients feel truly seen, and our team feels supported to grow.
I lead with creativity, wit, courage, generosity, and kindness. It runs through everything we do. I’m proud that we are known for great hair—and as a great place to work. We’ve earned national awards for service and leadership, but our real achievement is the trust we’ve built with our people and clients.
To me, like many other NHBF members, this is more than business—it’s my life’s work.
Why I would like to be President and the skills I bring
I would like to be president because our industry is a community creating happier lives. The NHBF began in 1942 to give voice to the people of this industry, and that mission still matters.
After almost 40 years in this industry—as a hairdresser, salon owner, educator, consultant, government lobbyist, and industry board member—I know what’s brilliant about our world and what needs to change. I’ve worked on the salon floor, mentored apprentices, grown businesses, and sat in policy and board meetings, asking the difficult questions to create change.
My skills and experience incorporate leadership, board-level contribution, national advocacy and representation, business operations and performance, chairing meetings and advisory committees, industry representation at events, and government liaison.
Above all, I’ve built platforms for the people of our industry to shine. I want to be president for the grafters, the creatives, the carers—the people who give everything to this industry and deserve more in return.
If elected, I will:
- Reclaim the NHBF’s original purpose: representing and bringing together real and new voices across our whole industry.
- Support digital tools and creative ways to grow stronger, more sustainable businesses.
- Campaign loudly and clearly for apprenticeships, fair pay, VAT reform, and better education.
- Create a vision for how our industry can adapt, grow, and succeed long-term, gaining public respect.
I lead with courage, creativity, and care. I listen hard. I speak plainly. And I show up to make a difference.
This is about our legacy—the kind you build with action. I’m here to make it count. Let’s move the industry forward, together.