LTZ Group
Home of Less Than Zero Barbers, FAF Creative Space & LTZ Training Academy

Martin Wallis-Keyworth founded LTZ Group in 2017 with a vision to create opportunities through barbering, education and enterprise. Since then, the organisation has grown into an award-winning group spanning barbering, apprenticeships, professional training, leadership development and youth engagement. Before establishing LTZ Group, Martin built an international career leading large-scale business transformation programmes across multiple industries and countries. Seeking to better understand the barbering profession from the ground up, he retrained as a barber himself, combining commercial leadership experience with practical industry knowledge. Today, Martin leads the strategic direction and growth of LTZ Group, focusing on leadership development, workforce skills, apprenticeships, education and business innovation. His long-term ambition is to create an internationally recognised organisation that develops people, builds brands and creates lasting opportunities for future generations. Under Martin’s leadership, LTZ Group has received recognition for business growth, customer service, community contribution and apprenticeship development, while continuing to expand its impact across the UK and internationally.

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Professional Qualifications & Recognition

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• Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI)

• CMI Level 7 Senior Leader

• Level 6 Teaching & Learning

• Studying CMI Level 8 Strategic Leadership

• Doctoral Research Candidate

• SME Most Inspirational Leader 2026

 

Areas of Responsibility

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• Group Strategy & Growth

• Leadership Development

• Apprenticeships & Skills

• International Expansion

• Governance & Partnerships

• Education & Workforce Development

Cosmin Șustăr joined the business in 2019 after relocating from Romania to the United Kingdom in search of new opportunities and professional development. Beginning his journey as a barber, he quickly demonstrated exceptional commitment, leadership potential and a strong alignment with the organisation’s values. Through continuous development and consistent performance, Cosmin progressed from barber to senior leadership, becoming a shareholder, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of LTZ Group. His journey reflects the organisation’s belief that talent, opportunity and commitment can create exceptional outcomes regardless of where someone starts. As COO, Cosmin works closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to drive operational excellence across LTZ Group’s brands, including LTZ Barbers, LTZ Training and F.AF. He is responsible for ensuring consistent standards, exceptional customer experiences, workforce development and the successful delivery of the organisation’s growth strategy.

Alongside his UK responsibilities, Cosmin serves as an Executive Director within LTZ Group’s international operations, supporting the development and governance of the organisation’s expanding entities in Spain and Albania. His international perspective and practical leadership experience play a key role in ensuring that LTZ’s values, culture and operating model remain consistent as the organisation grows.

Known for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to developing others, Cosmin is passionate about helping individuals progress from apprentice and barber roles into management, leadership and business ownership opportunities. His own journey from barber to Executive Director demonstrates the opportunities that can be created when ambition is matched with support, development and hard work.

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Career Progression

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• Relocated from Romania to the United Kingdom

• L3 Barber

• Joined LTZ as a Barber (2019)

• Progressed to Senior Barber

• Shop Manager

• L3 CMI Business

• Shareholder

• Executive Director

• Chief Operating Officer

• Executive Director – International Operations (Spain & Albania)

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Areas of Responsibility

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• Group Operations

• Operational Excellence

• Customer Experience

• Workforce Development

• International Operations

• Leadership Development

• Brand Consistency & Standards

Mario Karaj joined LTZ Group in 2020 after relocating from Greece, where he was raised within a family of Albanian heritage. Seeking opportunities for professional growth and personal development, he began his journey with the organisation as a barber and quickly demonstrated exceptional drive, leadership potential and a commitment to helping others succeed. Through continuous development, commercial awareness and a strong belief in the organisation’s mission, Mario progressed into senior leadership and is now a shareholder, Executive Director and Chief Branding Officer of LTZ Group. His journey reflects the opportunities that can be created when ambition, support and hard work come together. As Chief Branding Officer, Mario works closely with the executive leadership team to support commercial growth, brand development, market expansion and strategic partnerships across the organisation. He plays a key role in developing relationships with employers, education providers, local authorities and industry partners, helping create pathways into employment, apprenticeships, qualifications and career progression. Alongside his UK responsibilities, Mario serves as an Executive Director within LTZ Group’s international operations, supporting the development and governance of the organisation’s expanding businesses in Spain and Albania. His international perspective and understanding of different cultures and markets help ensure the organisation’s values and long-term vision remain consistent as the group continues to grow. Mario is passionate about helping people realise their potential and believes business success should be measured not only by financial performance but also by the opportunities created for individuals, communities and future generations. His focus remains on developing people, building brands and creating sustainable growth that delivers long-term social and economic impact.

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Career Progression

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• Relocated from Greece to the United Kingdom

• L2 Barber

• Joined LTZ as a Barber (2020)

• Progressed to Senior Barber

• Commercial & Brand Development

• Shareholder

• L3 CMI Business

• Executive Director

• Chief Branding Officer

• Executive Director – International Operations (Spain & Albania)

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Areas of Responsibility

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• Brand Strategy & Development

• Commercial Growth

• Strategic Partnerships

• Employer Engagement

• Apprenticeship & Skills Promotion

• International Development

• Market Expansion

• Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Ravi Bhachoo joined LTZ Group in 2021 as an apprentice barber, beginning his journey with a commitment to learning, professional development and helping others succeed. Through dedication, continuous improvement and a passion for education, he has progressed into senior leadership and is now a shareholder, Executive Director and Chief Training Officer of LTZ Group.

Having experienced first-hand the impact that training, qualifications and mentorship can have on an individual’s career, Ravi has become a passionate advocate for creating opportunities through education. His progression from apprentice to executive leadership reflects LTZ Group’s belief that talent, ambition and support can unlock exceptional potential. As Chief Training Officer, Ravi leads LTZ Training Academy and is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of apprenticeships, professional qualifications, private barber training and specialist development programmes. He works closely with employers, learners, awarding organisations and government stakeholders to ensure training remains relevant, industry-focused and aligned with workforce needs. Ravi plays a key role in maintaining the organisation’s commitment to developing people, ensuring learners gain not only technical barbering skills but also the professional behaviours, confidence and leadership capabilities needed for long-term career success. His focus is on creating clear progression pathways that enable individuals to move from learner to practitioner, from practitioner to leader and, where appropriate, into management, shareholder and director opportunities. Under Ravi’s leadership, LTZ Training Academy continues to support apprentices, self-funded learners and experienced professionals seeking to develop their skills, qualifications and career prospects. He is passionate about raising standards within the industry and believes education should create opportunity, build confidence and help individuals achieve more than they thought possible.

Career Progression

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• Joined LTZ as an Apprentice Barber (2021)

• L2 Barber

• Trainer & Assessor

• Training Manager

• Shareholder

• Executive Director

• L3 CIPD L&D

• L3 Vocational Assessor

• Chief Training Officer

 

Areas of Responsibility

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• LTZ Training Academy

• Apprenticeships & Qualifications

• Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Learner Development

• Employer Partnerships

• Workforce Skills Development

• Education Strategy

• Leadership Development

Luke Dilly joined LTZ Group in 2020 as an apprentice barber, beginning his career with a desire to learn, develop and build a future within the industry. Through commitment, continuous development and a willingness to take on new challenges, he has progressed through the organisation into senior leadership and is now a shareholder, Executive Director and Chief People Officer of LTZ Group.

Having personally experienced the opportunities created through apprenticeship, training and professional development, Luke brings first-hand understanding of the organisation’s mission to develop people and create meaningful career pathways. His journey from apprentice to executive leadership demonstrates the opportunities available to individuals who are prepared to invest in their own growth and embrace continual learning. As Chief People Officer, Luke leads LTZ Group’s people strategy, workforce development and talent management across all brands. He oversees recruitment, apprenticeships, employee engagement, leadership development and organisational culture, ensuring the business remains focused on developing exceptional people alongside sustainable growth. Working closely with the executive leadership team, Luke plays a key role in creating progression pathways that enable individuals to move from apprentice to qualified professional, from team member to leader and, where appropriate, into shareholder and director positions within the wider group. His work supports LTZ Group’s vision of creating opportunities through barbering, education and enterprise. Luke is passionate about building a high-performance culture where individuals are supported, challenged and empowered to reach their full potential. As LTZ Group continues to expand across the UK and internationally, he remains focused on ensuring that people development remains at the heart of the organisation’s success.

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Career Progression

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• Joined LTZ as an Apprentice Barber (2020)

• L2 Barber

• Senior Barber

• Shop Manager

• Shareholder

• L3 CMI

• Chief People Officer

 

Areas of Responsibility

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• People Strategy

• Recruitment & Talent Development

• Apprenticeships & Skills

• Workforce Planning

• Employee Engagement

• Leadership Development

• Organisational Culture

• Career Progression Pathways