Meet Claire

Claire Gould

Owner and Director

Claire grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire and started hairdressing when she was fifteen, becoming an apprentice when she left school and worked in local salons. She gained knowledge, experience and confidence working with well-established brands such as L’Oreal and Wella.

In 2003 she moved to New Zealand and was inspired by the talented stylists she met and worked with. She continued to develop her hairdressing skills through extended courses, advanced colouring workshops and classes in innovative cutting techniques with top New Zealand hairdresser David Shields.

She also participated in regional and national photographic competitions, which she loved. Claire went on to open her own salon in New Zealand offering hair, beauty and nail treatments and it quickly grew to a successful team of six.

Claire grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire and started hairdressing when she was fifteen, becoming an apprentice when she left school and worked in local salons. She gained knowledge, experience and confidence working with well-established brands such as L’Oreal and Wella.

In 2003 she moved to New Zealand and was inspired by the talented stylists she met and worked with. She continued to develop her hairdressing skills through extended courses, advanced colouring workshops and classes in innovative cutting techniques with top New Zealand hairdresser David Shields.

She also participated in regional and national photographic competitions, which she loved. Claire went on to open her own salon in New Zealand offering hair, beauty and nail treatments and it quickly grew to a successful team of six.

Then, one day at work, Claire fell ill and was rushed to hospital with suspected anaphylactic shock. The diagnosis was that it was likely that she’d had an allergic reaction to one of the hair products she used in the salon.

Claire was devastated and began making arrangements to sell her business. With no idea what she would do next, she stumbled across the answer in the form of a small organic salon.

She went to stay with the product supplier and worked with her in the salon and the warehouse learning all she could about organic products. The results were inspiring, and she discovered a way to continue her passion for hairdressing, working with organic products.

Now Claire can work safely and be confident that she is offering her clients a more natural, healthy experience without compromising performance.

In 2011 Claire returned to England and her home town of Malvern to open pHd Malvern. She was in the top 20 in the UK Photographic Stylist of the Year competition the following year.

Meanwhile, the business is growing from strength to strength whilst Claire continues to do the job she loves.