The UKAPP was born out of the UK Piercer Meet Up (UKPMU) founded by Nicole Holmes our current president, which started as a professional group on Facebook. 
The UKPMU came together to discuss many industry issues such as simple things including insurance or technique and much larger issues as the UK government changing legislation surrounding female genital mutilation (FGM) to include female genital piercings (FGP). 
A small group of piercers came together at an informal meet up in Newcastle in March 2015 to discuss what was needed to protect our industry and people’s rights and freedom to pierce their bodies. 
It was soon realised that the backing of an official organisation would be required to lobby the government. It was also realised that (as well as the FGM issues), such an organisation, the UKAPP, would be able to tackle other issues within our industry and get our profession seen as a genuine vocation to be respected by external industries. 
We drew inspiration (and a lot of help) from the APP to start the organisation, and their continued support is imperative to our formulation and growth.