Jasper in Conversation with: Paul Faulkner, Chairman of Ellisons
With 2025 now in full swing we sat down with some our partner businesses to discuss their plans and aspirations and what they are looking forward to this year.
The first in the series is with Paul Faulkner, the Chairman of Ellisons since the Management Buy Out in August of last year.
Ellisons is the UK’s oldest and most established hair and beauty wholesaler. Founded in Birmingham in 1930 and now based in Coventry, Ellisons has been a cornerstone of the industry, supporting over 50,000 salons, spas, and other customers across the UK and internationally. The company ships more than 2.5 million items annually, empowering hair and beauty professionals at every stage of their business journey.
What was the highlight of 2024?
2024 was a momentous year for Ellisons, with a Management Buy-Out that completed in September very much marking a ‘passing of the torch’ from previous ownership to the senior management team. The transaction balanced the retention of extensive industry knowledge and experience within the business with the addition of fresh perspectives and energy, setting Ellisons up well to tackle the next chapter in the firm’s nearly 100 year history and allowing the future to be viewed with real optimism.
What can we expect to see from Ellisons in 2025?
The business has a number of exciting initiatives planned for the year ahead. One of these is a new ‘beauty furniture’ showroom – the first of its type in the UK – which will open at our Coventry HQ in late March. We also have a brilliant range of new ‘Wellness Loungers’ which can play a significant role in improving employee wellness and mental health fitness within the workplace, which we believe will be of interest to many businesses who are looking to do more to support (and retain) their people when working back in the office. In general, the business is also planning to significantly boost its digital presence and offering to customers throughout the year, hopefully meaning everyone will see a lot more of Ellisons throughout 2025!
What are the main challenges you foresee in 2025?
While there is no doubt that general economic conditions present a challenge for many businesses at present, Ellisons still has ambitious growth plans for 2025 and sees lots of opportunities. A constant challenge is attracting and retaining talented people, which always feels especially acute when you are seeking to grow. To help with this Ellisons has a real focus on employee well-being and engagement, and will be looking to do even more to support and develop our people in 2025.
When people think of Ellisons, how do you want to be perceived?
As the UK’s leading supplier to hair and beauty professionals. As a trusted partner and as a business that cares about our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate.
What are your personal aspirations for the business in 2025?
I am excited to see the business, and the brilliant team of staff who work so hard at Ellisons, develop and flourish throughout 2025.
I believe that success is a by-product of doing the basics well, which Ellisons has a proud history and reputation for doing, and I am keen to build on the solid foundations that are in place at Ellisons with a developing culture that embraces growth, innovation and opportunity. Exciting times ahead.