Scottish Widows have been supplyingfinancial advice from their Edinburghoffices since 1815. Imagine my delightwhen I find out that this venerableinstitution has a direct connection withThe Cotswolds.The stunningly beautiful (and nowiconic) face of Scottish Widows is locallass Hayley Hunt. We’re slated to meet inher sister’s boutique, Coco Bee inMontpellier, Cheltenham. It’s a meetingthat I’m both relishing and slightly reticentof. Will she be charming or a completediva? Like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cubeafter consuming a bottle of red wine,some models can be difficult. However it’squickly apparent that Hayley won’t befitting into this category at all. She ischarm personified with a natural warmth,beauty and friendliness that beggars belief.Born in Stow-on-the-Wold andschooled locally, she was only 16 years oldwhen she was spotted in the crowd by amodelling agency at the BBC ClothesShow in Birmingham. While still studyingshe landed her first major job at 17,modelling for Virgin sportswear andlingerie. After completing three A-levels inEnglish Literature, Graphic Design andFine Art in Oxford, she upped sticks andmoved up to London, signing with theworld-famous Storm Agency who handleKate Moss, Eva Herzigova, CindyCrawford and Lily Cole.There’s an obvious passion andaffection in her tone when you mentionThe Cotswolds.“I have very fond memories of growingup here. When I was a kid I used to climbtrees a lot. I guess I was a bit of a‘tomboy’ really.”Hayley has been ‘the face’ of ScottishWidows now for over seven years. It’s aface and a look that’s now ingrained withthat brand. I wanted to know where thefamous black cloak is, only to be told that

it’s safely locked up in an Edinburghmuseum and only released for TV shootsand adverts.I am however very happy to report thatwe do have an exclusive with thisinterview, as this is the very first timeHayley Hunt has been photographed inThe Cotswolds. As we sit chatting in CocoBee, it’s crystal clear that she’s very proudof her sister Stevee’s achievements.“I try to support her whenever I can,I’m so impressed and proud with whatshe’s achieved here at the boutique,” saysHayley.I wanted to get some advice for aspiringyoung models and Hayley Hunt fixes mewith a stoical smile and ladles out this littlegem.“Finish school, get your qualificationsand then think about modelling as acareer.”Stern stuff indeed, but when you thinkthat Hayley in now 28 and knows only toowell that there is a lot of competition outthere. Modelling, it seems, is a verycompetitive environment. I’m tempted topush her towards coming back to TheCotswolds for good.“I would love to move back to one ofthe Cotswold villages for good…it’s wheremy heart is,” she says.That powerful link to The Cotswoldsremains unbroken to this day, as herfamily still own and run The Lamb Inn atShipton under Wychwood.Married to a fireman and with twochildren, Hayley Hunt seems to be one ofthe most contented people I’ve met inages. There’s a true balance there which Isuppose is due to her upbringing; solid,sure-footed and well grounded… exceptof course when she’s climbing trees.

www.hayley-hunt.comwww.cocobeeboutique.comwww.scottishwidows.co.uk

22 � COTSWOLD STYLE APRIL 2012

Style interview

go on,climb a treeEric Barton meets up with the face of Scottish

Widows, Hayley Hunt. Photograph Rob Wheatman

CS

Hayley as the iconic Scottish Widow.

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