UK broadcasters and industry partners have teamed up to launch the Textured Hair & Make-up for Deep Skin-Tones Accelerator, a new initiative from Dandi and the team behind TriForce Creative Network (the TCN).

The Accelerator builds on the 2025 Hair & Make‑Up Equity Guidelines, (produced by 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.

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. The scheme offers 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 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.

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.

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 and 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.” said Fraser Ayres, CEO Dandi