About Black & White Academy Ltd

Charlotte Knibbs

Institute of Trichologists

"Charlotte, you are one of those rare educators whose wisdom reaches far beyond the classroom. Your teaching, mentorship and belief in my potential have guided me into the field of Trichology in the most wondrous of ways. You did not simply share knowledge — you ignited a passion, sharpened a purpose and helped me discover a depth of expertise I did not know I was capable of. Your dedication to this field and to the people you teach is nothing short of extraordinary. You have been a light on my journey, and the foundation you helped me build will continue to inspire every student I have the privilege of teaching. With the deepest gratitude and admiration — thank you."

Megan Roberts

Owner, TONI&GUY Reigate

"Megan, where do I even begin? You took a chance on me based on nothing more than a recommendation — you had never even seen my face, yet you opened your door, your salon and your heart. In doing so, you changed the course of my life. Together, through the incredible TONI&GUY family, we produced excellence — not just in the technical craft, but in the confidence we built in every client who sat in that chair and in every member of staff who grew under your leadership. And what a team it was. The wonderful Miss Louisa and every single member of that brilliant team — each one of you brought something extraordinary to that salon, and together you made it a place of genuine magic. And Megan — only you would have the vision and the warmth to invite my hilariously funny brother to join the team too. That still makes me smile every time I think of it. The laughs, the tears, the long days and the proud moments — eight years of working alongside a salon owner as extraordinary as you is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. You are the definition of grace, professionalism and warmth. Go and enjoy your beautiful new chapter — you have more than earned it. All my love, always."

Caroline Putcock, Mary Wiles, Sara & Dawn

Crawley College & Institute of Trichologists

"Caroline and Mary — where do I even begin to find the words? You were my teachers through NVQ Levels 1 to 4 in Business Management, Trichology and Hairdressing. You guided me through my Teaching qualification, my Manicure and my Indian Head Massage — every qualification a stepping stone you helped me climb. But it was what came after that I carry with me every single day. You both chose me — a young girl in her twenties who could barely be heard when she spoke — and you placed in my hands one of the largest responsibilities of my early career: a team of staff, 60 apprentices and 60 students, all assigned to me. I stood in that role and I gave everything I had. And those students? I am blessed beyond words to say that so many of them are now proud owners of hair and beauty salons far and wide. That is your legacy as much as it is mine. Caroline, you heard me when the world could not. You built my confidence as a teacher, as a mentor and as a professional. You believed in a young woman who was still finding her voice — and because of you, that voice now reaches many. To be standing today as a lecturer in Trichology at Level 4 and 5 through the Institute of Trichologists, once again alongside Sara, Dawn and Charlotte — who are greatness in their own right — fills me with a pride I cannot fully express. Sara — your exceptional organisational skills and dedication to the Institute of Trichologists are a gift to every student who passes through those doors. You hold everything together with a quiet, steady brilliance that so many take for granted, but I never have. You are the backbone of what makes the Institute the world-class institution it is — stay amazing, because you truly, truly are. Dawn — you are one of the most extraordinary mentors I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Your ability to guide, nurture and believe in those around you goes far beyond what any qualification could ever measure. You mentor not just with knowledge, but with heart — and the impact of that reaches further than you will ever fully know. You are more mentor than most people could ever imagine. To you all — thank you, from the very depths of my heart."

Katy Jenkins & The Essence Hair Team

Essence Hair, Haywards Heath (formerly Essensuals TONI&GUY)

"Katy — from my very first TONI&GUY salon, where my journey began with a placement in London at the TONI&GUY Academy, all the way to my last salon floor with you as my boss — and then watching you go on to buy that salon outright — what a journey we have shared. You hired me not once, but twice. Same school, same heart, same commitment to excellence. The qualifications you gave me, the hair extensions courses, the opportunities you placed in my hands — every single one of them shaped the professional I am today. And the memories? Oh, the memories. 'Lily Pants and Daisy Do' — me asking how the young kids do it, laughing until our sides hurt, building the most beautiful relationships with every client who walked through that door. You built each one of them back up with such greatness, such care, such dedication. There were trying times — there always are — but glory always wins, and it always did with you. Henry — your warmth and steadiness on that salon floor meant more than you know; you were always someone I could count on, and that quiet reliability is a rare and beautiful thing. Sarah — your energy, your skill and the way you showed up every single day with such dedication made the team what it was; you are one of those people who lifts a room simply by being in it. Gemmy — your spirit, your laughter and what you brought into every shift made the hard days easier and the good days unforgettable; you are a gem in every sense of the word. And more than that — your repartee and staccato always made me laugh at the most unexpected of times, and even more so at the times I truly needed it; there is a rare kind of joy in someone who can do that without even trying, and you always could. To the entire Essence Hair team — thank you for supporting me in every way, through every season. You are more than enough, Katy. You always have been. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Mark Randon & The TONI&GUY Crawley Team

TONI&GUY Crawley — School Friends, Colleagues & Lifelong Legends

📸 Photo credit: TONI&GUY Crawley Team

"Well, well, well — here we are, Mr Mark Randon. School friends. Look at us now. Between you, Adam, Ross and Matt, I have never laughed more in my entire life. Nine clients each, every single day, the whole team firing on all cylinders — the music playing, the energy electric, and the most extraordinary hair coming out of that salon. Our clients would laugh, we would laugh, and somehow in the middle of all of it, greatness was being created. I remember when the first two owners left and you stepped up to become manager — that was an exceptional moment, and you wore it with everything you had. And when the lights went down and every client left feeling absolutely amazing — I still won the cutting stool speed races. Team women, every single time — stood on that stool, scissors flying, and still came first. The men you have all become fills me with such pride. Salon owners, every one of you — Marc Pearl, Jersey Grey — reach for the stars, because that is exactly where you belong. Men of vigour, doing what you love most, living it fully. You all kept me laughing, kept me sharp and kept me well trained through an era when I honestly thought I would not smile again. That salon, those chairs, that team — you were a chapter I will never forget and always be grateful for. To the whole TONI&GUY Crawley team — school friends, hairdressers, legends. Thank you. Always."

Yla, Jolene & Alexa

TONI&GUY Sennelarger, Germany — NAAFI Army Base

"Some people you meet in the most unexpected of ways — and that is exactly how life works, and exactly how it should be. We were not just colleagues. We were lifelong friends with a bond that has never stopped, not for a single moment. In 2001, I got on a plane with my TONI&GUY vardering and my hairdressing NVQs, heading to Germany with nothing but faith and determination. Yla and I met on that very plane — and we laughed, genuinely laughed, about why on earth they had seated us both at the emergency exit. And then, just like that, she asked me to join her team. I have always believed that blessings live outside your comfort zone — and if I had never taken that leap of faith, I would never have had one of the most challenging and simultaneously most extraordinary experiences of my entire life. The NAAFI army base was a world of its own. The soldiers who would come in — having shaved their heads — and ask, with complete sincerity, 'What can you do with my hair?' — and we would look at each other and just laugh. The mess do hair-ups, the dancing in the moonlight, the camaraderie that only that kind of posting can create. And then there is my very special Jolene Penden — one of the most remarkable people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. From 2004 to now, Jolene has championed me through the hardest times of my life. I would say 'I was hungry and thirsty — were you there?' And she was. She always was, and she continues to be — and to Jolene I say, with everything I have: I am stuck with you. Always. You do not always see stars, but they always shine — and Jolene shines brighter than most. Not only did she stand beside me through the storm, she gave me everything she had, skill by skill, moment by moment. And now — I could not be more proud — she has gone on to open her very own hair salon in Scotland. What a salon. What a woman. What a journey. Yla and Alexa — your strength, inside and outside that salon, taught me more than you will ever fully know. You showed me what it means to stand tall, work with excellence and never dim your light for anyone. To all three of you — thank you for being part of the story that made me."