My Hair Hero | Mark Leeson X Danny Malone

They say never meet your heroes. We say: do.

My Hair Hero is a regular Pro Hair feature that bring together two worlds of hairdressing talent for one honest, unfiltered conversation. In each issue, we invite some of our favourite hairdressing faces to sit down with the individual who has shaped their creative journey for a conversation they’ve waited their whole career to have… and guess what? We got exclusive access!

Danny: Mark, you’re one of the most respected names in global hairdressing. Let’s go right back to the beginning: When did you first know hair was going to be your thing?

Mark: I’d always been interested in hair, fashion and that whole world. At 16, I spotted a salon job advert in the local paper and went down to one of the nearby towns for an interview. They gave me a day’s trial the next day, then took me on through a YTS training scheme (which was what everyone did back then).

I didn’t really know what to expect, but the minute I was in the salon environment, I was hooked. I saw how people came in one way and left completely different – how a haircut or colour genuinely changed how they felt about themselves. That buzz of transformation was addictive! I started as an apprentice working alongside a colourist, and that first year shaped everything for me. In the 80s especially, hair was incredibly personal. It was about individuality and identity. I watched people walk out with a new lease of life, and I remember thinking, this is powerful. That was it for me.

Danny: When did competitions first come into the picture?

Mark: Representing the country internationally didn’t happen until the late 90s, but I entered local competitions early on in the salon I worked for – NHF work and things like that. At first, it was very practical. We used competitions for local press and PR, and clients loved seeing their salon doing something exciting. Then somewhere along the line, I got the competition bug. Once you get a taste of winning – or even just being recognised – you want more. You start pushing yourself harder.

Danny: You’ve won an incredible number of awards over the years. What have those honours meant to you personally and professionally?

Mark: Honestly, whenever we enter an award, the aim is always to win – that competitive streak never goes away! And over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to win at every level: photographic, team awards, all sorts. There’s a lot of silver back at the salon! But for me, it’s never just been about trophies; it’s always been about the team.

We’ve used awards to build the business and to really anchor the culture at Mark Leeson. Awards help create energy in a salon. They get bums on seats, but they also make clients feel part of something. We’ve also always used awards as a way to give back through education, sharing knowledge and opening doors for people who might never imagine themselves in those rooms. I’ve always been a massive fan of Mark’s work. Every time I’ve ever seen one of his catwalk shows, I’ve just thought, ‘wow!’. Being picked for the Revlon Professional Visionaries programme a couple of years ago was huge for me, and having Mark as my mentor for that whole year made it even more special. I honestly couldn’t begin to list everything I learned from him, but it has had a massive impact on my career. A lot of where I am today comes from that time.

Danny: Where do you get your inspiration?

Mark: Literally everywhere! Life itself! It could be walking down the street and spotting a poster, scrolling your phone and seeing something for half a second – an outfit in a shop window or even a piece of fabric – you’ve always got to be looking. There are so many creatives out there now, so it’s about finding something that’s just slightly on the edge. We all cut and colour hair, but it’s the combinations you choose and how you present it.

Danny: I remember we were out for dinner one time, and you suddenly went, “Whoa, whoa,” and I was like, “What?” I had no idea what you were talking about! Then you pointed at the wall and said, “Look at the colours on the wall.” That moment really stuck with me. There’ve been loads of little things like that I’ve taken away over the years. Even with haircutting – I remember you telling me to look at buildings before I even start shaping hair. I actually do that now when I’m working on competition pieces. It might be a weird building shape, but I’ll take something from it and think, where could I use this?

Mark: Yeah, when you’ve done a new collection or a collaboration, I think people love the story of what’s behind it. Where did you get it from? Where’s the inspiration come from? I think that’s great.

Danny: Is there a part of your job you enjoy most or is it the variety that keeps it exciting?

Mark: I think it’s the variety. I’ve been very lucky in that sense. I’ve spent years behind the chair and I still do, but I’ve also travelled all over the world. I love how every country approaches hairdressing differently. Even though we’re all technically doing the same thing, the perspective shifts, and you learn so much from that. It’s never really felt like work to me because it’s always been a passion. One day I’m in the salon, the next I might be shooting a collection overseas!

Danny: You run a very successful salon. How do you personally balance the creative side with the business side?

Mark: Partnership is everything for us. Richard handles the business side and we share the creative side. I don’t run the finances, but we talk constantly and bounce ideas off each other. If one of us says no, then it’s a no – and that honesty is important. For sole owners, it can be really tough doing everything alone; having another perspective keeps you grounded. As creatives, we can disappear off down a rabbit hole, but you always have to keep one eye on the numbers.

Danny: A lot of young stylists look up to you. What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Mark: Get involved in everything you possibly can. This industry isn’t a nine-to-five if you want to move forward creatively. Assist on shoots, help at shows, reach out to people, send emails, ask questions. Be a sponge and soak everything up!

Danny: How important is it to be strong in both cutting and colouring?

Mark: For me, they go hand-in-hand. A haircut without colour is like a day without sunshine. Colour doesn’t have to be loud – it might just be a soft gloss or shine – but it enhances the shape. When I’m creating imagery, I design the shape first, then place the colour into that haircut. I always look at an image in black and white first, then wherever the light sits, that’s where the colour can really be pushed. And client colour versus photographic colour are completely different things too. Shoots require intention, and you’re always thinking about how the camera will read it.

Danny: If you had to give one golden piece of advice for creating a photographic collection, what would it be? I remember you always saying to me, “Make sure your kit bag’s right.” At the time I didn’t really get it – I hadn’t ever thought about bringing things like string or thread with me! – but that stuck with me.

Mark: Yeah, preparation is everything, but it starts with having a clear concept and communicating it early. Everyone involved needs to be singing from the same sheet. You can’t leave it until the morning of the shoot – get the team involved early, share your vision and stay open on the day.

Danny: Finally, the industry keeps evolving. How do you see the future – especially with things like AI and competitions?

Mark: Change is inevitable, and when you’ve been around a long time, it can feel huge. AI is an amazing tool – it’s great for mood boards and helping people get started – but it can’t replace individuality or passion. What will always stand out is signature work – your take on a haircut, a colour palette or a shape, for example. The bob has been around forever, but you can still make it unmistakably yours… that’s where creativity will always win.

Talking to Mark reminded me exactly why he’s always been such a big influence on me. He’ll always be a hero of mine. His generosity with knowledge is endless, and I feel incredibly lucky to have learnt from him and to now call both him and Richard Darby close friends. Our relationship has always been centred around the creative aspect of hairdressing, so it was great to explore the business side too – how he invests in his team, makes decisions and finds inspiration. Every piece of advice Mark shares stays with me and continues to shape my journey as a hairdresser.