On Sunday, 15th February, Rainbow Room International brought together all eleven salons for an evening of inspiration, recognition, and celebration at their 37th Annual Congress, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow. The day kicked off with a welcome from founder Alan Stewart, who shared the remarkable journey of Rainbow Room International over the past decades, reflecting on the team’s growth, achievements, and the guiding Kaizen philosophy of continual improvement that underpins everything the group does.
With the theme ‘Past, Present, Future,’ the day took on a fresh format, kicking off with a live podcast-style session hosted by Ayr Salon Director Riccardo Corvi, sharing insights, inspiration, and reflections on the Rainbow Room International philosophy and creative journey with the entire team.
The morning continued with engaging discussions in front of a packed audience featuring Alan Stewart, SalonDirectors Wil Fleeson and Tara Jack, and Academy Director Laura Leigh Kerr, sharing their perspectives on the group’s evolution and vision for the future. Each salon then took to the stage to present their goals and creative visionfor 2026, demonstrating ambition and innovation across the entire team.
The afternoon saw the Rainbow Room Artistic Team, led by Suzie McGill, take to the stage, drawing inspiration from the Schwarzkopf PRO UK Pop Icons shoot, as they presented striking looks and shared the creative thought behind each style. Following a break to get glammed up, guests enjoyed a champagne reception and three-course meal, setting the scene for the much-anticipated award ceremony, where excellence and dedication across the group were celebrated in style.
Recognising Excellence
It was a standout evening across the group, with salons celebrating impressive successes and recognising the strength of talent across every level of the business. Rainbow RoomInternational Buchanan Street salon enjoyed a particularly memorable night, taking home an incredible 12 awards, including the prestigious Salon Team of the Year title, a fitting achievement in the same year the flagship salon surpassed the£1 million milestone.
Elsewhere in the city centre, the George Square salon collected seven awards, while the Royal Exchange Square salon secured nine, reflecting the continued strength of the group’s central Glasgow presence.
Salons beyond the city centre also celebrated strong results, with Great Western Road winning 6 awards, Crow Road 4, Clarkston 3, Ayr 8, Uddingston 7, Bearsden 6, and the Academy on Howard Street taking home 5 awards.
The evening not only celebrated established success but also highlighted the depth of emerging talent across the group, reinforcing Rainbow Room International’s long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of hairdressers and industry leaders.
Following the awards, the celebrations continued in style with live music from Groove Supply, led by Breck Stewart, son of Alan and Linda Stewart, as salon teams danced the night away, celebrating their achievements and looking ahead to another exciting year in 2026.
Reflecting on the evening, founders Alan Stewart and Linda Stewart said: ‘Congress is always a special moment for us. It’s a chance to recognise the incredible dedication, creativity, and teamwork across every salon and every level of the business. Seeing both our experienced teams and our up-and-coming talent celebrated in the same room reminds us how strong the future of Rainbow Room International is. We’re immensely proud of everyone and grateful for the passion they bring every day.’
With their achievements recognised and celebrated, Rainbow Room International is looking forward to another year of growth, creativity, and delivering outstanding hairdressing experiences for its clients.