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.
Mary Pugsley MBE
Director & Founder
Vicky
Salon Manager, Assessor, & Internal Verifier
Tyler
Salon Manager & Assessor
Nikki
Beauty Therapy Tutor & Assessor
Leah
Barbering Tutor
Annie
Math & English Tutor
Rhi
Community Barbering Lead
Becky BSc PTLLS
Counsellor
Marion
Attendance & Wellbeing Officer, & Social Worker
Kat
SEND Manager
Jody
Quality Assurance Manager & External Verifier
Paige
Tutor Support
Tara
Tutor Support
Lauren
Tutor Support
Claire
Finance Manager
Mary Pugsley MBE is more than our Founder — she’s the heartbeat of HAIR AT THE ACADEMY. In 2004, Mary and her daughter Vicky set out with a simple but powerful vision: to change young lives through hairdressing. Today, that vision has flourished into a year-round VTCT Centre of Excellence, where young people with Educational Health Care Plans are given not just skills, but confidence, purpose, and the chance to shine.
Together with a dedicated team of Tutors, Therapists, Counsellors, and Support Workers, Mary supports up to 60 students each year — empowering them to gain vital qualifications and take confident steps into the workplace or further education.
In 2019, Mary was awarded an MBE for her services to disadvantaged people in Devon, and in 2022 she was recognised by the Collective Pride Awards as an ‘Exceptional Educator’.