Apply now for Textured Hair & Make-up for Deep Skin-Tones Accelerator
UK broadcasters back new Textured Hair & Make-up for Deep Skin-Tones Accelerator to raise industry standards
A major coalition of UK broadcasters and industry partners has joined forces to launch the Textured Hair & Make-up for Deep Skin-Tones Accelerator, a new initiative from Dandi, brought to you by the team behind TriForce Creative Network (the TCN).
The Accelerator builds on the 2025 Hair & Make‑Up Equity Guidelines, (produced by Pact and Dandi and available on the Pact website) and provides a practical, scalable solution to ensure equitable, culturally competent styling across the UK’s screen industries.
71 % of actors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds still report departments unable to meet their HMU needs — undermining wellbeing, authenticity and production value.
The initiative is backed by Prime Video Pathway, following their pilot programme in Scotland in 2025 as well as BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV and Screen Alliance North. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands on training, industry insight and direct access to employers, with the potential to progress into paid roles on High End TV productions.
The Accelerator programme is centred around professional masterclasses in partnership with the renowned Kevin Fortune Hair Styling Academy. Two regional programmes: ‘ON-SET’ AFRO HAIR and MAKE-UP FOR DEEP SKIN-TONES Masterclass Sessions will be offered in 2026 – in the North West and the South West – with plans to expand further in 2027.
The North West Masterclass sessions held in association with Screen Alliance North alongside Screen Manchester and Liverpool Film Office, will be held at Space Studios Manchester, with the hair masterclass on 01-05 June and the make-up masterclass on 15-17 June. Applications for the North West cohort are now being accepted at https://jobs.thetcn.com/jobs/Careers. Applicants can apply for either the hair or make-up course or both courses. Applicants must be from the North West.
The South West Masterclass session will be held at Bottle Yard Studios, with the hair masterclass on 07-11 September and the make-up masterclass on 14-16 September. Applications will open nearer the time.
A New Inclusive Talent Pipeline:
Each course will recruit 10 participants across three tailored streams—Elevate, Evolve and Equip—bringing together emerging talent with transferable skills from outside the industry, mid‑career HMU professionals, and existing crew needing upskilling in inclusive practice. Recruitment will be led by Dandi and the TCN via extensive outreach across colleges, salons and community networks.
Training, Exposure and Employment
Participants will complete:
- In person practical masterclass-training in both hair and make-up with the Kevin Fortune Hair Styling Academy
- Additional online career development sessions, delivered by Dandi
- A high‑profile industry showcase featuring folio exhibitions and networking
- Paid placements following the practical training
- Ongoing career support for two years from the Dandi team
All graduates will join the TCN Talent Pool to increase visibility and access to future employment.
“Working with such incredible partners, we can shift the landscape tangibly with solutions that directly address the fundamental issues surrounding Black hair and make-up. Where the guidelines set the standard, the Accelerator delivers the solution. Inclusive styling is essential, not optional.” — Fraser Ayres, CEO Dandi
Make-up & Hair are an integral part of the magic of storytelling across Film & Television.
As Representation matters & resonates equally on & off-screen: Hair & Make-Up Artists’ confidence in our ‘on-set’ skills, working with all hair-textures & skin-tones, is key to the important bond-of-trust between creatives. True Confidence in our career-trajectories comes from owning our significant role in creating a space, where everyone feels nurtured, seen & heard to freely express ourselves.
We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring to life our shared vision across these exclusively-designed Masterclasses as part of this exciting initiative – An impactful stance to drive forward the evolution of our industry – where diversity & inclusion are never mere policy, but the very essence of our experience & purpose.
Kevin Fortune & Martin Wall – Kevin Fortune Hair Styling Academy
About Prime Video Pathway
Prime Video Pathway is a first-of-its-kind, multifaceted training initiative designed to open up jobs in the TV and film industry across the UK and to support the development of talent and freelancers already in the industry. Established in 2022, Prime Video has spent more than £14 million on a suite of highly acclaimed and impactful initiatives across its first five years, supporting more than 2,990 freelancers.
About TCN & Dandi
TriForce Creative Network and Dandi are leaders in inclusive training and industry development, focused on creating equitable pathways from entry level to senior roles across the UK’s film and TV landscape.
About Kevin Fortune Hair Styling Academy
Co-Founded in 2013 by celebrity Hair & Make-Up Designer, Kevin Fortune & Creative Director, Martin Wall – The Academy offers internationally-renowned Hair & Make-Up Masterclasses to Session Artists of all industry-backgrounds, Production Companies & Broadcasters. Masterclasses range from beginner-, to advanced skill-level – with the Academy’s certification being widely-recognized as a leading testament to artists investing in their distinctive skill-set to elevate their career-paths & opportunities.
For media enquiries, interviews or partnership information, please contact:
Christina Joyce, XXIV Communications
[email protected]
