TRIBUTES have been pouring in for an "adored hairdresser and formidable businesswoman” who died in her sleep.

Janet Maitland, 63, managing director and salon group owner of Janet Maitland Hair Excellence, left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications, on the condition that she took a job with training. She found a role at a salon in Durham and a life-long affair with hairdressing began.

Janet opened her first salon in Durham's Gilesgate 1979. It is now part of a thriving group, with salons in Bowburn and Hetton-le-Hole, as well.

She moved further into the calling when she was invited to be a part of the Schwarzkopf Professional Shaping Futures initiative, for which she worked tirelessly as the UK Ambassador from 2012 to 2019.

The Northern Echo: Janet Maitland Janet Maitland

Shaping Futures teaches hairdressing skills to disadvantaged children with the goal of helping them to get a job at the end of the programme.

Janet led teams in India, Jordan and the Philippines and was dedicated to ensuring that each of the young people she helped to educate was rewarded with a job.

Described as a true philanthropist, Janet helped to raise money for a number of causes she held dear, including Stray Aid, SOS Villages and The Hairdressers’ Charity (formerly HABB). She was also a passionate and inspiring businesswoman.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen were recognised when she was given the Inspire Me Award at the Women into the Network North East Business Woman of the Year awards, followed by the Business Director of the Year at HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards.

The Northern Echo: Janet MaitlandJanet Maitland

Janet’s team posted a heartfelt tribute to Janet on the Janet Maitland Hair Excellence Facebook page which said: “It is with deepest sadness we share the news that our much loved and inspirational Janet Maitland passed away on Saturday 2 January.

“Your continued and kind support is always and will continue to be deeply appreciated at this very difficult time. With love Peter and the team.”

The post was followed by hundreds of tributes from friends, customers and industry colleagues remembering a “warm, compassionate and deeply lovely woman” who had a heart of gold.

Hairdressers Journal editor Laura Husband said: “My thoughts are sincerely with Peter, the rest of Janet’s family, her friends and all of those who had the pleasure of working with her over the years.

“She had an infectious smile, a real passion for the hairdressing industry and giving back to those around her – whether it was giving help and support to her team or by travelling overseas to help those who really needed it.”

It was Janet’s wish that no flowers be sent, but she requests that donations be made to the salon’s fundraising account, so they can be sent to the causes she and Peter are most passionate about.

This can be done in the following ways:– paypal.me/jmfundraising or alternatively, cheques can be made payable to Janet Maitland Fundraising and posted to FAO Peter McDermott at Janet Maitland Hair Excellence, 29 – 30 Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2HX.

Any money given in memory of Janet will be distributed to causes close to her heart including the Hairdressers’ Charity and Stray Aid local charity that cares for dogs.