Presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, the awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the professional hairdressing calendar. Now in their 42nd year, they celebrate the breadth of creativity, craftsmanship and technical excellence that continues to put British hairdressing on the global stage.

This year’s finalists have been selected from hundreds of entries across 18 Regional, International and Specialist categories, with talent represented from across the UK and Northern Ireland. The high standard of work showcased the depth of talent within the sector, with finalists recognised for their originality, artistry, technical expertise and creative vision.

Mark Moloney, Managing Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, said the finalists had “raised the bar”, highlighting the innovation, passion and dedication reflected in their work.

Mert Eren, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland at Schwarzkopf Professional, added that the awards provide an important platform for artists and innovators to showcase their creativity on a national stage.

Regional and International finalists

The Regional Hairdresser of the Year categories recognise outstanding talent from across the country, while the International Collection of the Year celebrates creative work with a global perspective.

Eastern Hairdresser of the Year

Sharon Cox, Sanrizz St Albans
Niall McNulty, YK Hair
Georgia Mountain, Georgia Mountain Hair
Darrel Starkey, Taylor’s Hair Studio
Marc Trinder, Trinder Hair Studios
Christian Wiles, Wiles Studios

London Hairdresser of the Year

Mustafa Alan, Errol Douglas Salon London
Sara Cester, TONI&GUY Covent Garden
Sylvestre Finold, TONI&GUY Wimbledon
Danilo Giangreco and Emy Roccabella, Danilo Giangreco London
Elle Page, TONI&GUY Covent Garden
Lucia Siero Hernandez, TONI&GUY Westfield

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year

Nikki Clifford, NJUK Salom
Let Lew, Let Lew Hair Design
Jamie Richards, JDixhair – Richards Hairdressing
Heather Shaw and Paul Corbett, Francesco Hair Salon
Tracey Ann Smith, French & Ivi
Matthew Surplice and Aid Tams, Spring

North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year

Kirby Blythe, Hair by Kirby Blythe
Ross Charles, Ross Charles
Jenny Hainsworth and Kirstie Bowdin-Emsley, Era
Claire Morley and Stephen Chapman, Contemporary Salons
Emma Simmons, Salon 54
Jonathan Turner and Sophie Lenton, HOOKER & YOUNG

North Western Hairdresser of the Year

Ria Alderson-Kulik and Laura Kulik, The Hairbank
Jamie Benny, Benny & Co Hair Studios
James Earnshaw, James Earnshaw Hair
Farah Khalid Pritchard, Farah Naz
Melissa Timperley and Sara Williams, Melissa Timperley Salons
Jon Wilsdon, TONI&GUY Manchester

Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year

Stephen Adams, Hair&Co
Martine Broggy and Lynsey Campbell, Natural Hair Company
Simon Houston and Tori Smyth, Houston Hair
Danny Malone, DM Hair
John Morrison, John Morrison Hairdressing

Scotland Hairdresser of the Year

Diana Carson, Rainbow Room International
Amy Christie, Profile
David Corbett, David Corbett Hairdressing and Beauty
Paul Ralph and Hiro Kudo, KIKU Salon
Charlie Taylor, Charlie Taylor
Frazer Wallace, THE HAUS STUDIO

South Western Hairdresser of the Year

Samantha Bell, Hair at 58
Fergal Doyle, Fergal Doyle Hair
Josh Goldsworthy and Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy, Goldsworthys Hairdressing
Annabel Payne and Matt Darvill, TONI&GUY Dorchester
Steven Smart and Jo Lomax, Smart Est 73
Amy Sultan, Amy Sultan Hairstylist

Southern Hairdresser of the Year

Seung Ki Baek, RUSH Hair
Paolo Giamattei, Marc Antoni
Ashley Long, Directors Hair and Beauty
Robert Masciave and Ceri Cushen, Metropolis Hairdressing
Kerry Mather, KJM Salons
David Vault Baker, The Vault Hair & Spa

Wales Hairdresser of the Year

Dom Capel, Lara Johnson Lifestyle
Casey Coleman, CHAIR salons
Lara Johnson, Lara Johnson Lifestyle
Shelley Lane, Shelley Lane Salon
Brandon Messinger, Hendersøn & Co
Michelle Summers-Davies, Michelle Davies Hair

International Collection of the Year

Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Sevda Durukan, THE STUDIO BY SEVDA
Bona Joerg, BY BONA/Professional Hairart
Pauline McCabe, Rock Paper Scissors Hair Studio
Lyndal Salmon, BIBA Academy
Scott Sloan, Sloans

Specialist finalists

Alongside the regional categories, the Specialist awards recognise excellence across a diverse range of disciplines – from Afro hair and men’s hairdressing to avant-garde artistry, colour and emerging talent.

Afro Hairdresser of the Year

Lisa Farrall, WIG LONDON
Junior Green, Junior Green Hair
Aycan Kemal, New York Hair Design
Pashcanel Mitchell, Blue Tit London
Rick Roberts and Zoe Roberts, Rick Roberts
Sara Williams and Melissa Timperley, Melissa Timperley Salons

Artistic Team of the Year

Danilo Giangreco London
HOOKER & YOUNG
Marc Antoni Artistic Team
Rainbow Room International
RUSH Academy
Smart Est 73

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year

Casey Coleman and Giuseppina Stephens, CHAIR Salons
Sylvestre Finold, TONI&GUY Wimbledon
Shelley Lane, Shelley Lane Salon
Robert Masciave and Harlee Gresty, Metropolis Hairdressing
Adrian Paoluccio, SMITHS SALON
Yui Tateno, TONI&GUY Covent Garden

Men’s Hairdresser of the Year

Gianni Cardinale, Cardinale Collective
Charlotte Illi, Brooks & Brooks
Dexter Dapper Johnson, TONI&GUY Bluewater
Joshua Lamonaca, MENSPIRE Salon
Kevin Luchmun, Luchmun Studios
Desmond Murray, Athertoncox

Newcomer of the Year

Georgina Bradshaw, HOOKER & YOUNG
Olivia Brady, Allertons
Kayleigh Byrne, Tribe Salons
Dodge Mackay, Andrew Jose
Tom Rowley-Clifford, Bliss Hair Therapy
Alex Trippier, Claxton Hair

Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year

Ria Kulik and Laura Kulik, The Hairbank
Suzie McGill and Diana Carson, Rainbow Room International
Steven Smart, Smart Est 73
Andrew Smith, Andrew Smith Salons
Dan Spiller, Marc Antoni
Emanuele Temperini, TONI&GUY Covent Garden

Trend Image of the Year

Stevan Dulay, POMOhair
Josh Lamonaca, MENSPIRE Academy
Ashley Long, Directors Hair and Beauty
Rick Roberts, Rick Roberts
Andrew Smith, Andrew Smith Salons
Frazer Wallace, THE HAUS STUDIO

The countdown to the awards begins

The second round of judging will take place at Salon International at ExCeL London on 4 October, when judges will reconvene to select the winners in each category. The British and Session Hairdressers of the Year nominees, selected separately by an elite panel of industry leaders and press, will also be displayed during the second round of judging.

The winners will be revealed on Monday 23 November, where the industry will come together for an evening celebrating the achievements of Britain’s hairdressing talent.