West Midlands hair group grows future talent following business loan support
One of the West Midlands most established hair salon groups has expanded its apprenticeship programme and trained a new generation of hair professionals since securing a £75,000 loan from ART Business Loans.
Francesco Group approached ART Business Loans in 2021 to secure investment to strengthen its apprenticeship delivery team at its Birmingham academy to support the delivery of its level 2 hair professional apprenticeship programme across its network of 35 salons.
Since receiving the loan, the business has expanded its team of educators to 13 working within its academies, which has supported the training and development of 600 apprentices.
Francesco Group in committed to developing talent from within. By recruiting and developing apprentices, they not only ensure sustainable business growth, but create a dedicated, skilled workforce for the future.
A total of 14 of the group’s current franchisees began their careers as trainees, ranging from YTS through to apprentices. In addition, a number of the group’s educators began their careers as apprentices, progressing from the salon floor into training and education roles.
The business operates 35 salons across the West Midlands, as well as training academies in Birmingham, Stafford, and Poole. In addition to its own salons, Francesco Group has grown its external network of salon partners to deliver hair professional apprenticeships from 120 to 141 since 2021.
Francesco Group finance associate Richard Stenson said: “The funding from ART Business Loans in 2021 gave us the platform we needed to invest in our people at exactly the right time, supporting our ability to work with new salons across the West Midlands. Coming out of Covid, we needed to rebuild and push forward.
“Good training has been our founder’s mantra for 50 years, and it will always be at the heart of everything we do. We grow our own and like to watch them build their careers with us.
“ART were very easy to deal with. They were recommended to us through contacts, and they delivered exactly what we needed. They understood our business and our ambitions, and that made all the difference.”
ART Business Loans manager Martin Edmonds added: “It’s been a pleasure to support Francesco Group and watch the business grow since 2021.
“Richard and the team have shown real commitment to their apprentices and to the communities they serve across the West Midlands and beyond.”
ART Business Loans is a community development finance institution which seeks to ensure viable businesses in the West Midlands and adjoining counties can access the finance they need.