Haircare innovator behind Cloud Nine and GHD Robert Powls dies

Robert Powls, founder of Cloud Nine and GHD, has passed away, leaving a transformative legacy that reshaped the global hair styling industry.

In a statement, Cloud Nine paid tribute to its founder, describing him as "a once-in-a-generation innovator who changed how women styled their hair - forever".

"Robert Powls (1947–2026), our founder and the original founder of both GHD and Cloud Nine, was a perfectionist to the end," the company continued.

"He remained deeply involved in every product we created. His thinking, his standards, his DNA run through everything we do. His legacy isn’t just what he built. It’s the freedom he gave millions."

Powls began his career working in salons, where he developed an understanding of the personal and emotional significance of hair. He recognised that hair could influence confidence, identity and self-expression.

Over time, he identified a gap in the market: consumers wanted greater flexibility to experiment with different styles, but existing tools limited those possibilities.

His pursuit of innovation took him around the world, culminating in Seoul, South Korea, where he contributed to the development of ceramic technology in hair straighteners. This innovation marked a shift in performance and became a foundation for later products.

With the launch of GHD and later Cloud Nine, Powls helped expand access to at-home hair styling products, contributing to a broader shift toward greater control, temperature regulation and attention to long-term hair health.

At Cloud Nine, he continued to be involved in product development, contributing to new innovations and influencing the direction of the brand. His approach and standards remained part of the company’s development process.

"His legacy lives on through the brands he built, the category he created, and the standards he set for the industry," Cloud Nine concluded.