Charlie Taylor, founder of Perth based hair and beauty group Charlie Taylor Hair Health & Beauty, was named the Scottish Woman of Achievement 2007at the Association of Scottish Businesswomen’s Annual Awards, held in Perth on Friday night.
The award, which was introduced initially in 2005, required businesswomen from all over Scotland to nominate the candidate they felt was most deserving of the title and their reasons why. Charlie Taylor came out top in what was a very competitive shortlist.
Charlie, who was also nominated as a finalist in the ASB’s Outstanding Contribution to Business Award, was taken by surprise at the awards ceremony with the announcement that she had won the title.
“I couldn’t believe it! I’d been invited along to the awards as a guest of Perthshire Businesswomen’s Network which seemed to make perfect sense since I am a local member and also shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to Business award – I really had no idea that I had also been nominated for the title of Scottish Woman of Achievement. I am very honoured that businesswomen in Scotland feel that I am deserving of the award and would like to thank everyone who nominated me, whoever they were!” she said.
Charlie Taylor began her successful career as an entrepreneur after returning to Scotland from working with Trevor Sorbie in London. Opening her first salon in Perth at the age of 26, Charlie has gone on to win numerous awards for business and styling, including Scottish Hairdresser of the Year three times and the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame Award in 2006.
Combining her international business career with bringing up a family, Charlie, working in partnership with her husband, Alastair Taylor, has successfully expanded the salon group to four salons in central Scotland with further new salons in the pipeline for 2008. This year also sees the group branch out into internet retailing of specialist hair and beauty products.
Charlie’s contribution to Scottish business over the years is commendable. At the forefront of Scottish hairdressing for almost 30 years, she has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the profession nationally and internationally. She serves on numerous industry boards, and acts as a professional advisor to major international product manufacturers.
Charlie is also a very active member of Scotland’s entrepreneurial community. As a member of the Entrepreneurial Exchange, she has committed to working with developing entrepreneurial businesses, giving new and upcoming individuals access to her 20 year’s experience in business.
Julie Hall, president of the Association of Scottish Businesswomen, commented on the night, “Charlie is, indeed, a worthy recipient of this award. Both the nominees and judges felt she possessed all the qualities of success that they would wish to emulate. I am delighted that she is the winner of the title of Scottish Woman of Achievement.”
