BIGA & ICMG Collaborate to Help Shape the Future of Professional Dog Grooming
- Polly Shears
- May 27
- 4 min read
The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA) is proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with the International Certified Master Groomers (ICMG) — a partnership built on a shared passion for education, professionalism, and raising standards within the dog grooming industry.
As the grooming industry continues to grow and evolve, the need for support, guidance, and professional development has never been more important. This collaboration represents a positive step forward for groomers across the UK and beyond, helping create stronger pathways for education, skills development, and industry progression.
Who Are ICMG?
The International Certified Master Groomers (ICMG) are recognised globally for their commitment to grooming education, certification, and excellence within the pet grooming profession.
ICMG has built a respected reputation for supporting groomers who want to develop their technical skills, increase their knowledge, and continue progressing professionally within the industry. Their certification programmes and educational opportunities have helped groomers worldwide strive for higher standards and continual improvement.
At the heart of ICMG is a commitment to education, professionalism, and encouraging groomers to continue learning throughout their careers — values that strongly align with BIGA’s own mission.
BIGA & ICMG Collaboration
This collaboration becomes even more meaningful with the announcement that Sue Oliver, who now heads the International Certified Master Groomers (ICMG), has also joined the BIGA committee.
Sue Oliver is highly respected within the grooming industry for her dedication to education, mentoring, and professional development. Her experience, passion, and commitment to helping groomers progress within their careers make her an incredibly valuable addition to the BIGA committee.
Her involvement further strengthens the relationship between BIGA and ICMG, helping create closer collaboration between education, professional standards, and industry support.
By bringing experienced industry leaders together, BIGA continues its mission of building a stronger and more united future for professional dog grooming.
This collaboration is not simply about organisations working together — it is about experienced professionals combining knowledge, expertise, and passion to help support the next generation of groomers and continue moving the industry forward in a positive direction.
Why The BIGA & ICMG Collaboration Matters
For many years, the grooming industry has lacked clear direction, professional unity, and consistent standards. As more people enter the industry through varying training routes, there is increasing importance placed on education, continued professional development, and industry-wide support.
This collaboration between BIGA and ICMG is not about competition — it is about collaboration for the benefit of groomers and the welfare of the pets they care for every single day.
Together, BIGA and ICMG aim to:
Support groomers at every stage of their journey
Help strengthen the credibility of professional dog grooming
Create more opportunities for groomers to learn and grow
Encourage industry unity and positive progression
Both organisations believe the future of grooming relies on working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting groomers within an industry that is constantly evolving.
Exclusive BIGA Membership Offer for ICMG Members
As part of this exciting collaboration between BIGA and ICMG, we are pleased to offer International Certified Master Groomers members an exclusive discounted BIGA membership rate for their first year.
This special introductory offer has been created to encourage greater collaboration, education, and support throughout the grooming industry while helping more groomers become part of a professional community focused on raising standards and supporting long-term career development.
BIGA membership provides groomers with access to industry support, professional guidance, educational opportunities, networking, business resources, and a growing community passionate about moving the industry forward in a positive direction.
ICMG members interested in joining BIGA through this special discounted first-year offer are encouraged to speak directly with Sue Oliver for further information and membership details.
Supporting Groomers Beyond Qualifications
Professional grooming is about far more than simply holding a certificate. It involves animal welfare, handling skills, breed knowledge, coat and skin understanding, business management, customer communication, health awareness, and continued learning.
This is why BIGA is passionate about helping groomers build long-term careers through education, support, and professional development opportunities.
The collaboration with ICMG helps reinforce a message that learning should never stop within grooming. Whether a groomer is newly qualified, experienced within a salon, competing internationally, or running a successful business, there should always be opportunities to grow, improve, and develop further.
Raising Standards for the Future
At BIGA, one of our long-term goals is to help raise standards and professionalism throughout the grooming industry while supporting groomers in a realistic and encouraging way.
The collaboration with ICMG is another positive step towards creating an industry where groomers feel supported, valued, educated, and united.
As conversations around professionalism, regulation, education pathways, and pet welfare continue to grow within the industry, partnerships such as this help move the profession forward in a positive direction.
Looking Ahead
This is only the beginning.
BIGA and ICMG are looking forward to working together on future educational opportunities, industry initiatives, professional development projects, and supporting groomers throughout the industry.
Together, we can help create a stronger future for professional dog grooming.
Because when the industry works together, everybody benefits — especially the pets in our care.
If you are passionate about professional grooming, continued learning, and helping shape the future of the industry, we invite you to become part of the BIGA community.
Together, we can continue raising standards, supporting groomers, and moving the industry forward.
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