We are the current volunteer directors
To get BIGA up and running, a small team was assembled, somebody put on the kettle and biscuits were served. We gathered round a kitchen table (might have been a pub table, not sure), and the conversation started.
Each of us agreed, from the outset, that BIGA would be an association FOR groomers, BY groomers (and related pet care professionals and friends, of course). That the best part of BIGA would be its members, and that its members would give shape to what BIGA is, inclusive and not exclusive.
Bear in mind that BIGA is really about YOU, it's about everyone in the industry. It's also really important to remember that BIGA is totally not-for-profit. We are volunteers. There is no commercial agenda behind BIGA. There is no secret corporate backer bank-rolling BIGA. Nobody is getting paid or making a quick buck, BIGA is your association, your voice, the groomers voice.
So, at present, here we are:
| Heidi Anderton - BIGA Founder Director
Founder of Absolutely Animals and London School of Pet Grooming delivering City and Guilds Qualifications at level 2, 3 and 4.
Heidi has been working in the grooming industry since 1986 and is also an International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG)
Heidi is a qualified tutor, assessor and Internal Quality Assurer as well as a former team member of Groom Team England. 2010/11 BIGA Honorary Member "I hope we can take BIGA on to be the voice of the Industry and a central place of information for new groomers coming into the Industry" |
| Pam Gee - BIGA Founder Director
Qualified pet groomer
Shows the award-winning Sancere Poodle BIGA Honorary Member Founder-Director of ALICK (Association of Licensed Catteries and Kennels) |
| Kristian Maris - BIGA Founder Member and Chairman
Owner of Just Barking in West London.
Co-Founder at Dogs & Horses.
Author of The Dog Grooming Business Course BIGA Honorary Member |
| Melanie Winters-Holmes - Director I been involved in the pet grooming industry since 1987 and have been lucky enough to have worked in almost every aspect and type of grooming. I am qualified city and guilds and higher qualification holder I was a competition groomer and topped my career with British groomer of the year title and a 10 year member of the British Groom Team. Now retired from the ring I’m an active judge and speaker on the circuit I have a grooming salon and southern dog groomer education business in west Sussex with my co director charlotte. My role as director is too listen to our members and take ideas forward to fruition my passion has always to enhance the grooming training and route to continued learning with BIGA as a hub of information and support for all groomers |
| Kirsty Young - BIGA Director Founder of Pawfect Style Salon (2008) and Pawfect Style School of Dog Grooming, teaching ICMG and iPET qualifications. Kirsty is a qualified tutor and assessor. Kirsty also competes at Grooming Competition and has won Best In Show and Res Best In Show awards as well as winning 1st places in Europe and is a current member of Groom Team England (2020/21) Successful show kennel of multiple champions (Anorien Poodles) "Want to help BIGA be the voice for all dog groomers, to support and improve the industry and help it grow.. we are groomers who want to be the voice for all groomers... join us and help us help you" |
| Alexandra Mould - BIGA Director Alex has a huge passion for both Dogs and horses. She is a qualified assessor, teacher, coach, internal quality assurer and external quality assurer in addition to these qualifications, Alex holds Dog Grooming qualifications with both OCN West Midlands and City & Guilds. She has carried out many roles such as assessing for the City & Guilds in Animal Care and Dog Grooming qualifications and teaching dog grooming qualifications for OCN West Midlands at Four Paws Groom School. Alex is now the Quality assurance manager at iPET Network, the only Canine and Feline specific Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation. The grooming industry has proven its strength through many difficult times we have faced. I believe that BIGA can provide a voice for the individuals contributing to this incredible industry to support its continued growth. As an individual passionate and dedicated to the industry myself, where possible, it would be an honour to provide information and support to its members. |
Do you aspire to helping move the industry forward? Do you think you have what it takes to be a grooming Director? Email us at hello@mybiga.org |