The J O Academy History

The Academy is a privately owned company. It was founded by Karen Pymer and Susie Ball.

Karen started her career in 1974 with the John Oliver Group where she went on to do varying job roles including management, she became Group Trainer in 1984 and was involved with making a company video and a training book. Her main hobbies are her job, keeping horses, goats, chickens and my 3 children!! Not necessarily in that order.

Susie has worked in hairdressing for 30 years having various roles such as a partner in a group of salons in Cambridgeshire where her love of training started. Susie worked in Canada then South Africa for Carlton Hair International before joining Karen at John Olivers Training School developing what is now The J.O. Academy of Hairdressing Ltd.

Together they bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the future generation of hairdressers.

The company has grown consistently over the past four years and will continue to do so with the experience and reputation we have gained.

The Academy offers City and Guilds training to hairdressers of all ages as well as refresher courses for existing hairdressers. We are also pleased to be involved in delivering the newly approved Diplomas in Hairdressing for 14-16 year olds.