Adjoa Andoh, Barbara Broccoli, Emma Naomi, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Dame Heather Rabbatts, Naomie Harris, Maude Okrah-Hunter, Sam McKnight, Samuel Adewunmi, Vernon François 

Time’s Up UK and US-based diversity and inclusion platform Black Beauty Roster (BBR) have joined forces to celebrate and champion hair and makeup equity on set at an inaugural salon event held across BAFTA weekend at Claridges in Mayfair, London with a host of British talent and industry leaders. 

Naomie Harris says;

“Achieving hair and makeup equity on set is not just about fairness—it’s about creating a space where every actor feels seen, respected, and able to give their best. I’m proud to stand with Time’s Up UK and Black Beauty Roster to help ensure this vital change continues to gain momentum”.

The event represents both the US and UK coming together, in the wake of the UK’s most notable date in the film calendar, to spotlight and keep up the momentum to ensure the hair and makeup experience for actors on set is professional, fair and equal in bid to amend a history of discrimination against Black and global majority actors. 

Adjoa Andoh says;

“When I began working in the industry some four decades ago, as a Black actress I soon discovered that I would need to take care of my own hair and makeup, as I could not rely upon hair and makeup departments to have the necessary skills to do that for me. Worrying about your appearance, as opposed to your performance, is personally upsetting and professionally undermining. Whilst some hair and makeup departments may now be up to speed in this regard, we still need to ensure that all makeup artists are given the training to work confidently with the wonderful variety of hair and skin types across our industry. I wholeheartedly support the campaigning work of Time’s Up Uk to demand parity in the makeup chair.”

The ‘Time’s Up UK X BBR Hair & Makeup Equity Salon’ heard from industry leaders at Universal International Studios, ITV, British Beauty Council and others who discussed leading change above the line and heard about the lived experience from actors and hair and makeup talent who are on the frontline of this work.  

Samuel Adewunmi says;

“The gathering of community and conversation at the Time’s Up UK X Black Beauty Roster (BBR) combined with the knowledge that there are people both within and outside of these organisations who are actively working to make hair and makeup equality on set a reality was inspiring. I fully and gladly support this movement and the work that is being done to bring about meaningful and lasting change.”

Dame Heather Rabbatts, Chair, Time’s Up UK says;

“We are proud to be collaborating with our friends at Black Beauty Roster (BBR), to work with us and build on the campaign we launched in Cannes last year in collaboration with some of our leading talent including Lashana Lynch, Naomie Harris and others. To make change we need to work continuously, collaboratively and positively, learning from one another and gathering allies and we will do this until the change is made.”

Maude Okrah-Hunter, CEO and Founder, Black Beauty Roster says;

“Black Beauty Roster (BBR) is excited to champion diversity and inclusion in the hair and makeup industry, both in front of and behind the camera, as we expand into the UK market. We have positioned our focus to amplify this work through education, advocacy and opportunity and are very excited to do this with Time’s Up UK. Their mission compliments our voice in raising awareness and building industry allies to continue to drive hair and makeup equity in the UK and beyond”. 

Fola Evans-Akingbola says;

“After making Untold Stories: Hair on Set it became clear to me that community-building, teamwork, and easy access to solutions are essential for hair equality to be achieved in our industry. The inaugural salon event hosted by Time’s Up UK and BBR was the perfect collaboration: a coming together of key talent and industry leaders to focus on raising awareness, building momentum and celebrating progress. It is reassuring to feel that performers are not alone in this push towards change. The industry is onboard and ready to turn the tide on this issue.” 

Ade Rawcliffe, Chief People Officer, ITV says;

“Sitting in the makeup chair should be a positive and relaxing experience for all artists, regardless of their background. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the reality, particularly for Black and global majority artists. At ITV, we’re committed to changing this. We’ve taken steps through our Production Principles, contract clauses, and collaborations with organizations like the PMA Diverse Squad and the pan-broadcaster group for Black Hair and Makeup.

However, there’s much more to be done. Systemic change requires collective action, and we’re proud to support Time’s Up UK and Black Beauty Roster (BBR) in their efforts to drive this change. We celebrate Black talent throughout the industry and are dedicated to championing hair & makeup equity for everyone on set.”

Vernon François, Educator & Celebrity Hairstylist says;

“One of the most critical tools in achieving true hair and makeup equity is language—how we communicate, educate, and bridge the gap in understanding. With over 27 years working across TV, film, fashion, and salon industries, I have seen firsthand that the ability to manage and work alongside all fabrics of hair, textures, and skin tones is not just a skill—it’s a necessity. Aligning this with Black Beauty Roster’s mission and Time’s Up UK’s commitment ensures that change is not just initiated but embedded into the very foundation of our industry. Sustainable progress comes from collective accountability, and together, we are creating a standard that will outlast us all.”