MEET THE TEAM
We are delighted to introduce you to our welcoming, friendly, and dedicated team. Some of who, started their journey as a HAIR AT THE ACADEMY student.
Director & Founder
Salon Manager, Assessor, & Internal Verifier
Salon Manager & Assessor
Beauty Therapy Tutor & Assessor
Barbering Tutor
Math & English Tutor
Community Barbering Lead
Counsellor
Tutor Support
Tutor Support
SEND Manager
Quality Assurance Manager & External Verifier
Finance Manager
Mary Pugsley MBE is the visionary Founder of Hair at the Academy training salon and the social enterprise Hair in the Community. A recognised community champion, Mary has spent over 20 years pioneering inclusive vocational education that supports individuals facing social, educational, and economic barriers.
Through Hair at the Academy, Mary has delivered high-quality, accredited training in hairdressing, barbering, and beauty, creating nurturing environments where learners build confidence, skills, and clear pathways from education to employment. Her impact expanded with the creation of Hair in the Community, including Exeter’s first not-for-profit barbering school, designed to re-engage and empower some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Mary brings extensive experience in partnership working with schools, local authorities, charities, and employers, helping to shape innovative, community-led responses to complex challenges. She is a strong advocate for alternative provision and vocational routes, challenging traditional narratives of success and championing inclusive, learner-centred education.
As a governor for Chances School, Dawlish, Mary offers strategic leadership, safeguarding insight, and a deep understanding of how to support young people who have struggled in mainstream education. Her approach is compassionate, practical, and outcomes-focused, ensuring learners are supported to progress confidently from education to employment. Mary also sits on the South West Steering Committee for the Jobs Foundation, contributing her expertise to regional employment and skills.
