A new business is bringing the precision of the Army into the cut and thrust world of hairdressing, says Ian Lamming

ASK any infantryman and the one soldier that is likely to strike fear into the soul is the fitness instructor.

This non-commissioned officer is responsible for turning out new recruits who are fit for purpose – physically, mentally and in terms of presentation – before they join one of the best fighting forces in the world. To do that successfully requires skills, talents that can be transferred to civilian life and, with the help of a North-East college, that’s exactly what salon owner Matthew Jenkinson is doing as he grows his new business empire with partner Troy.

The 32-year-old has adopted Darlington as his home after serving Queen and country for 12 years, latterly in Catterick Garrison as a corporal in The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment.

His battleground now is the competitive world of hairdressing and barbering, running Jenks salon in Crown Street, a far cry from Iraq and Kosovo where he saw service as part of the protection group for the commanding officer.

“Iraq and Kosovo were not nice and I was due to go to Afghanistan,” says Matt, who joined the cadets at 13, following in the military footsteps of his Royal Marine stepfather. “I felt I had reached my peak in the army and by that stage I had met Troy and decided it would be better to leave. We married in 2010.”

As part of the Army’s resettlement programme, Matt learnt barbering before entering civvy street, but it was Troy, a graphic designer-turned-hairdresser, who encouraged him to enrol on a course at Darlington College.

“As soon as I started training, I realised I loved it, so I pushed Matt into barbering because I was thinking about what he could do when he left the Army, says Troy, 27. “He qualified even before leaving.”

Matt adds: “After that I signed up to do a course in hairdressing and the college was great, really supportive. It was strange to think that because I had been in the Army, I had no experience of writing a CV or having an interview.

But because I could barber, I was offered seven jobs. I know from our experience that finding good barbers is really difficult and getting the right training is essential. Because of this we are continuing our links with the college by taking apprentices and staging seminars and masterclasses there. We love the idea of teaching and giving something back.”

Darlington College assistant director of hair and beauty Maria Harrop is delighted to forge such links with employers. She says: “It’s fantastic to see former students thrive and better still when they continue their links with the college. There are so many mutually beneficial opportunities when it comes to placements, workshops, apprenticeships and employment and I’m delighted Jenks are making the most of them.”

ORIGINALLY Matt and Troy planned to run a franchise in London but loved Darlington and were offered the chance to buy the Crown Street salon. “We jumped at the opportunity,” recalls Troy. “We had a bit of money from the Army, sold everything we had, including our cars, and lived on baked beans so we could put everything into the salon.”

Jenks is the result and the salon offers family- friendly barbering and hairdressing to a growing clientele, ranging from babies to pensioners, with a 50:50 split between men and women and a solid client base in forces families.

Clients even come from as far away as Newcastle and the salon aims to blend value for money with quality to have the broadest appeal.

“We get a lot of families,” says Troy. “I think they feel comfortable here and we always make a fuss of the children. It’s important to us that we become part of the community and we are busy putting our message out there.

“We have had hundreds of likes on our Facebook page and get a lot of new customers from recommendations. We are also getting involved in shows and photography shoots and any other opportunity for us to showcase our contemporary but practical styles.”

The couple’s ultimate aim is to become renowned within the hair industry and one day run a training academy, as well as expanding their charitable work. “Darlington has helped us and we would love to put something back,” says Matt. “I have never worked as hard since I left the Army, but this is the best thing I have ever done.”

  • Jenks hairdressing and barbering, 9 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU. Tel: 01325-466422.