NHBF president Agnes Leonard among the guests at Buckingham Palace garden party

New NHBF president Agnes Leonard and immediate past president Paul Curry had the honour of attending the Queen’s annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 24 May.

The NHBF party comprised Agnes, her daughter Vicki Webster, Paul and his wife Mary.

Agnes said:

It was a lovely experience, hugely enjoyable, and we were lucky with the weather. Although I have been to events at Holyrood, this was the first time I had attended an event at Buckingham Palace, so it was a real privilege, especially so close to the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

“The fact the NHBF is on the guest list for such a prestigious occasion also highlights the continuing importance of hairdressing and barbering as an industry and the £7bn contribution it makes to the UK economy.”

As well as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, guests at the party included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, the Lord Mayor of London plus numerous MPs and other dignitaries.

Paul added: “It was very nice, very relaxed and very well-organised. Although we didn’t meet Her Majesty herself, it was a great honour to have been invited.  It’s good to know that the services the NHBF provides to the hairdressing, barbering and beauty industry is recognised at the highest level.”