The Salon Guru team
Meet the Gurus
Salon Guru is a collective of highly-skilled people with the experience and knowledge needed to create the best salon websites and marketing in the world.
We differ from other website design companies in that we specialise in hair, beauty and aesthetics salons. Phil Evans leads a team of global experts, or ‘gurus’ who not only have key skills in their chosen field, but have all developed a vast knowledge of the hair and beauty sectors to ensure we create the best salon websites for content, SEO and functionality.
Your website will reflect your brand and showcase your business and our gurus will work alongside your team after your website is launched to deliver online marketing initiatives to make your salon business more money!
Our team collaborate on projects in every part of the English-speaking world. We employ the very best people in the world who are dedicated to giving you the bet marketing experience possible.
Phil Evans : MD of Salon Guru and Salon Marketing Guru
At the start of his career Phil spent 20 years in the computer software sector; designing, creating & installing complex systems. Phil has a vast knowledge of many software languages and operating systems and designed and developed some of the early Internet websites in the mid-1990s.
For over 25 years Phil has been involved in the marketing and management of hairdressing salons. His expertise includes salon website design, search engine optimisation, email marketing and social media. His skills help Salon Guru's clients to improve turnover, attract new clients and retain customer loyalty.
Phil thrives on the fast pace of digital marketing innovation and the massive opportunities this offers to all hairdressing salons, barber shops and beauty salons. He has written articles on the subject of salon marketing for many well-known magazines including Professional Hairdresser, Creative Head and Nails Magazine.
When not at his computer (which is not very often!) Phil can be found playing padel, hiking or indulging in Spanish tapas.
Sam Kennedy : Technical Director
Technical Director Sam Kennedy has been at our MD Phil Evans' side since before the inception of Salon Guru.
He is responsible for overseeing the technical team and is the lead programmer on special projects, integration with external systems and creating bespoke systems such as Late Deals, Best Salon Guide, and YourSalon.
With a BSc from the Open University, Sam has over twenty years of experience in server administration and a wealth of knowledge in this field. As a self-taught technical whiz, Sam has the drive and thirst for knowledge when it comes to seeking out online solutions for Salon Guru client requests.
The mid-80s and the gift of a new Sinclair ZX 81 computer started an obsession with all things computer-related for our technical Guru, Sam.
Sarah Kitt : Client Director
Sarah Kitt is Salon Guru's Client Director, responsible for managing the Salon Guru team and helping shape the direction of the business. She also looks after a select number of UK salons and oversees the creation of new salon websites so they work effectively, look beautiful, and contain SEO content to help drive more clients through salon doors.
Sarah is an experienced writer and communicator with more than 30 years’ experience in marketing, media communications and public relations. As a trained journalist, she is skilled in designing and writing websites, creating newsletters and press releases, and producing content for magazines and newspapers.
A key member of the team since 2012, Sarah also writes awards entries, delivers effective online marketing campaigns, and provides guidance on the effective use of social media channels, and Google Business Profiles for our clients.
Shane Marsh : Technical Manager
Shane joined Salon Guru as a Technical Manager in January 2015 after working within the hair and beauty industry at a salon in London. With a strong background in marketing and technology, he joined Salon Guru initially on a part-time basis to help our Technical Director move all of the server systems into WP Engine.
Over the years, he has completed every role within the Salon Guru Tech Team: building new client websites, consulting on SEO problems, building WordPress plugins, managing email migrations and setting up processes and frameworks for other tech team members to follow, as the company has grown.
Shane is not just responsible for the smooth running of the companies' server-based systems, he is also available to answer support queries raised by other Salon Guru staff and clients.
Shane is a certified AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) and has attended several Technical SEO webinars to gain further experience from the likes of Search Engine Land's expert Eric Enge.
Jane Slavin – Website Designer
Jane Slavin is Salon Guru’s Website Designer, responsible for designing client websites and the frontend development of new sites. She works within the Tech Team where she helps to solve problems and develop new innovative solutions to online marketing challenges.
Jane has over 20 years of experience in design and marketing. With a degree in Graphic Arts, Jane started her career as a Graphic Designer where she designed and developed brands for multiple businesses.
From there Jane joined a marketing company and began honing her skills in online marketing and web development where she even developed a website for the NHS.
Jane joined Salon Guru on a freelance basis in 2019 and is now a full-time member of the team. Jane works closely with the Client Managers to create fabulous website designs perfectly suited to each individual client.
Kate Allt : Team Manager
Kate Allt manages our team of Client Managers, providing guidance, support and fresh ideas to ensure each individual gives the best possible service to our clients wherever they are in the world.
She also offers expert client management to a number of our UK clients, ensuring their websites are up-to-date, and tending to their online marketing needs on a daily basis.
Kate has strong organisational skills in a multi-disciplined role which involves writing website copy that is Search Engine Optimised, creating effective newsletters, blogs and complex content for our many clients. She also works alongside our team of web designers on website makeovers as and when required.
Kate spent over a year working for a leading UK hair extensions brand before joining the Salon Guru team in 2014. She is an expert communicator and writer.
Gail Paxson Murray : Client Manager (US)
Gail Paxton Murray is an experienced Client Manager who looks after our clients in the USA.
She is an accomplished Direct Marketing professional with 30+ years' experience in web and print marketing for B2B and B2C companies. A skilled communicator, Gail oversees the website builds for our American clients and co-ordinates their ongoing marketing requirements.
After receiving a BS in Marketing at West Chester University, Gail started her early career in the cosmetics industry. She spent 20 years working for Yves Rocher, a French skincare company, progressing to marketing director for US and Canadian customer loyalty.
With the shift in technology towards the web, Gail led Yves Rocher as they modernised their website and she was the project manager for their e-commerce renovation. Gail became a pioneer in online selling techniques, web analytics, merchandising and email marketing.
Stef Walker : Client Manager
Client Manager Stef Walker manages many of our UK salons. She focuses on their bespoke marketing needs which range from ensuring their websites are Search Engine Optimised, writing informative pages and blogs, and creating and sending eye-catching newsletters.
She is also experienced in delivering expert Google Business Profile Management services, offering insights and strategic input to enhance a salon's visibility & reputation in local search results, making it easier for potential clients to find them online.
A hairdresser by trade, Stef ran and managed a busy city centre salon in Manchester City Centre for over 10 years.
Her creative eye and talent for precision cutting saw her work closely alongside leading global haircare brands to deliver high-quality hairdressing training and in-salon education.
Caroline Younger : Client Manager
Client Manager Caroline Younger joined the Salon Guru team in 2018 and manages many of our UK clients.
She is a highly experienced analyst with a career spanning over 30 years. Caroline uses her analytical, communication and creative skills to help salon businesses optimise their online presence. She writes website content and newsletters which appeal to salon customers whilst also ranking well on Google.
Caroline has a particular interest in SEO data analysis, and discovering the search terms and services that salon customers are really interested in.
Caroline trained at the Bank of England, where she held a wide range of analytical and managerial roles, including working on the UK National Accounts. This was followed by a role as a consultant business and data analyst for various large utility companies, which saw Caroline hone her spreadsheet skills. A move to an online retailer followed, and a transfer to website development and content writing.
Stacey Tuffey : Client Manager & Head of Social Media
Stacey joined the team in 2018 as a Client Manager looking after many of our clients across the UK, Australia and Dubai. She also leads our Social Media team, providing our clients with the tools they need to improve their social media platforms, either showing them how to do it for themselves or posting on their behalf.
Her skills include writing Search Engine Optimised website content, updating client Google Business Profiles, creating dynamic newsletters, graphic design, crafting bespoke marketing plans, and effectively using social media to boost client visibility.
Stacey plans smart marketing strategies to get more people to notice and enjoy our clients' websites. She also keeps an eye on what's trending and uses her knowledge to ensure client websites are packed with useful information that will get them noticed.
Charlotte Jones : Client Manager
Since joining Salon Guru in 2018, Charlotte has worked her way up from Copywriter to Client Manager and through this has honed her skills in creating SEO websites for hair and beauty salons.
Charlotte is now an experienced Client Manager, responsible for looking after a range of hair, beauty and aesthetics salons across the UK and Europe.
Charlotte helps these salons fulfil their marketing plans by creating Search Engine Optimised (SEO) pages, blogs and newsletters tailored to each client’s individual needs.
Charlotte is highly skilled in the written language and communicating as she has a first-class Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in English.
Charlotte also has specialist knowledge of TikTok and how to best use the TikTok Shop. She was part of a team that won the UK's Greatest TikTok Award for outstanding use of all that the TikTok app has to offer.
Charlie Lewis : Junior Client Manager
Junior Client Manager Charlie Lewis joined the Salon Guru team early in 2024.
She plays a key role in supporting the Client Managers in meeting the website and marketing needs of our many salons.
Charlie, who has a BA Hons in Creative Music Technology, has extensive experience in WordPress - the platform we use to build out websites - and previously managed the international COLAB dry hair shampoo websites.
Alongside her website management skills, Charlie has developed expertise in digital marketing, e-commerce, and customer engagement strategies.
She is currently honing her writing skills and taking an active role in improving Google Business Profiles for our clients.
Lotty Marais : Junior Client Manager
Lotty Marais joined Salon Guru in 2024 as a Junior Client Manager. Her role involves supporting the team of Client Managers by writing Search Engine Optimised content for websites, creating interesting newsletter content, and writing inspirational blogs.
After achieving an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Gender Studies, Lotty completed her Masters in Political Science in 2017. During this time, she worked with an LGBTIQ+ organisation in Kampala, Uganda, researching the rights of minority communities in relation to education, healthcare, and employment.
Since completing her studies, she has worked as a researcher and writer at a refugee rights organisation, and within various educational and digital marketing sectors. This has enabled her to hone her writing skills and work with a range of clients from health and wellness to technology, e-learning, and travel.
Mike Belshaw : Graphics & Design
Originally a celebrated furniture designer, Mike has spent many years interpreting his clients' visions and turning this into a design reality. He has designed iconic furniture for internationally famous pop stars, TV shows, sports celebrities and nightclubs.
Over the last decade, Mike has turned from the real world of furniture to the virtual world of web graphics. Using tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, Mike creates the visuals that will make your salon website stand out from the crowd.
Associate Gurus
As well as having our own team of in-house Salon Website & Marketing experts, we also work closely with other highly skilled individuals and companies to deliver the Best salon Websites in the world.
Antony Whitaker : Founder of GrowMySalonBusiness.com
Antony Whitaker is at the cutting edge of hairdressing and is internationally acclaimed and respected as one of today's premier talents as an educator, motivator and hairdressing businessman.