Back story
HAIRSINES is the family-run business that was founded by Kevin and Jenni, who first met at the beginning of 2001.
Sharing a passion for history and aesthetics, they travelled as much as they could afford to, to countries including Thailand, South Africa, USA, Canada, Greece, Spain, Poland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland – fuelling their creative energy and developing their business skills and knowledge.
A decade later, and with their three children in tow, Kevin and Jenni founded their long-planned for business in the East of England – selling decorative homeware (with a handful of French antiques thrown in for good measure) at local markets and county fairs. Their stock went down a treat with the fair folk of Cambridge.
The ensuing decades of hard work, steep learning curves, and constant buying and selling have enabled Kevin and Jenni to grow and nurture what has emerged as the family business – HAIRSINES LLP.
Now a charming showcase of decorative antique homewares, paintings, curious carvings, garden ware and primitive folkart. Their stock is quarried from a blend of international trade fairs, street brocantes, vide greniers and flea markets as well as auctions and private collectors.
Brexit was the catalyst for launching the customs clearance arm of the business model, because sourcing goods in Europe lies at the heart of the business. Trading compliantly is a key pillar of how stock is purchased, imported and sold.
Since launching the customs side of the business in 2020, HAIRSINES has grown its client list to more than 400, and expands on a weekly basis.
Kevin Hairsine
Training first at catering college in Hull, Kevin then gained a huge amount of valuable experience
working for the Roux brothers' fine dining team in London.
Reaching Head Chef level by the age of 19, Kevin ran hotel kitchens, independent gastro-pubs and a fine dining banqueting venue. Later, within Compass Group UK, he entered the management acceleration pathway, working as a senior BDM for multiple clients.
Since founding the antiques business in 2011, Kevin has trained extensively with the UK Customs Academy, attaining
Level 4 - Advanced Customs Practitioner.
Jenni Hairsine
After graduating from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Jenni enjoyed a career in book publishing before co-founding the antiques business
in 2011. She completed a Level 5 TEFL course in 2020, enabling her to teach English as a foreign language – both overseas and in the UK.