A message from our founder

Hi, my name is Marlene, and I’m so happy you’re here.

I’m the founder and chief executive of London Hair System, but more importantly, I’m someone who cares deeply about helping women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. This business is incredibly personal to me because it’s built not only on years of experience, but on real passion, real learning, and a genuine love for people.

My journey with hair began many years ago, in San Fernando in the Philippines, where I owned a well-known salon franchise. That was back in the mid-noughties. I loved the creativity of hair styling, but I also found I had a real knack for the behind-the-scenes elements: managing people, running operations, overseeing finances, and creating a space where both clients and staff could thrive. It was hard work, but good, and it taught me the value of persistence, of doing things properly, and of making people feel seen.

After meeting my husband around 2015 and marrying the following year, I moved over to the UK, a place I already knew well and loved. I had spent time here over the years with both British and Filipino friends and family, and the transition felt natural. I’m proudly Brit-Filipino, and being multicultural is something I treasure. It’s helped shape the way I connect with people, with warmth and openness always at the heart of what I do.

When I first arrived in London, I worked in a few different salons to get a feel for the style, culture, and expectations here. Thankfully, the skills I’d honed back home translated nicely, and I found it fun to build rapport with new clients. But a few years in, I felt a pull in a new direction, and that’s when everything changed.

I took a role as a hair technician, and suddenly, I’d found my calling. Supporting women through hair loss, whether caused by medical conditions, stress, or simply the passage of time, felt much more meaningful. I was no longer just styling hair; I was helping people reclaim a sense of themselves. The emotional side of this work moved me, and I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to it.

But working under someone else’s roof came with limitations. I had ideas I wanted to explore, standards I wanted to uphold, and a way of doing things that reflected my values: kindness, quality, transparency, and care. So, with the encouragement of my husband, I took a leap of faith, and London Hair System was born.

These days, I lead our small but mighty team with the same principles that have always guided me: do the job well, never cut corners, and treat every client with respect and understanding. Hair loss can be emotional, overwhelming, even frightening, but it doesn’t have to be faced alone. We’re here to listen, to help, and to find the right solution for each person who reaches out to us.

Outside of work, I’m a proud mum to my wonderful son Kyle, who’s now 25 and carving out his own path in the restaurant world. I live with my husband Robert, Kyle, and our elderly tuxedo cat, Archie, who’s very much part of the family.

In my downtime, I love watching documentaries, keeping up with social media trends, and, perhaps most importantly, karaoke. Give me an Air Supply song and a microphone and I’m in my element! I also enjoy baking now and then, sipping a really good cup of coffee, and the occasional fruit-picking trip in the Summer, which always brings back happy memories from my childhood.

I believe in being optimistic, but also real. In being persistent, kind, and in always striving to grow. That’s the culture I try to bring into every part of London Hair System. If we do get the chance to meet, I hope you’ll feel a strong sense of care, joy, and commitment from me and from everyone here.

With love,

Marlene