The biggest night of the hairdressing calendar reveals stars of the now and the future.
With a hair code of a twist of red what else could it be but the ruby anniversary of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional? The annual awards event, held on Monday 25th November 2024, at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, invited 1,400 of hairdressing’s finest to walk the red carpet and toast the oh-so-fabulous winners of these most highly regarded awards in British and international, hairdressing.
Before the awards and celebrations, the room fell silent for a moving collective farewell for one of the industry’s legends, Trevor Sorbie MBE. Trevor held the British Hairdressing Awards close to his heart and was the very first hairdresser to raise the biggest prize of British Hairdresser of the Year at the first ever British Hairdressing Award event. An astonishing and enduring talent, he went on to win the esteemed title a further three record-breaking times.
The evening was hosted by celebrity presenter Rylan Clark (a one-time hairdresser himself) alongside Hairdressers Journal International’s Executive Director, Jayne Lewis-Orr, and Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland.
Jayne Lewis-Orr said: “Across four decades, these awards have celebrated the incredible creativity, innovation, and skill of UK hairdressing talent, earning their place as the industry’s most sought-after accolade. This year’s winners represent the very best of our craft, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on their achievements. We celebrate not only their exceptional artistry but also their dedication to pushing boundaries and inspiring the next generation of hairdressing stars.”
Featuring ten regional categories and nine specialist awards that celebrate a variety of disciplines - including Afro, Men’s, Session, and Newcomer - HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards recognises brilliance in all quarters of the UK and spotlights the incredible diversity and creativity within the industry. Judged robustly and anonymously by a panel of over 100 leading hairdressers, including celebrity stylists, session professionals, and previous winners, the awards are a true reflection of scrutinised excellence.
The evening culminated in Cos Sakkas lifting the coveted, ultimate accolade for British Hairdresser of the Year for a remarkable and rare third year running. Sakkas is Creative Director and Head of Education of TONI&GUY and works largely out of New Oxford Street. Adding to the night’s magic, entertainment from Pixie Lott had the audience on their feet, turning the ruby red celebration into an unforgettable party - a spectacular finale to 40 extraordinary years of the British Hairdressing Awards!
Schwarzkopf Professional has been the sole sponsor of the event since its launch in 1984. Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland, said: “Forty years on, the British hairdressing industry remains as influential and creative as ever, with artists that continue to push boundaries and raise the bar. Schwarzkopf Professional is privileged to have supported this groundbreaking event for the last four decades and will continue to celebrate the exceptional talent this industry has to offer. Huge congratulations, not only to this evening’s winners but to everyone who has contributed to the powerhouse that is Great British hairdressing.”
And the winners are…
Regional Categories
- Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Olivia Barnes, Mark Leeson, Mansfield, Notts
- London Hairdresser of the Year: Jake Unger, HOB Salons/Academy, Camden
- Midlands Hairdresser of the Year: Tracey Ann Smith, French & Ivi, Belper, Derbyshire
- North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Rick and Zoe Roberts, Beverley, Hull
- North Western Hairdresser of the Year: Jon Wilsdon, TONI&GUY, Deansgate, Manchester
- Scottish Hairdresser of the Year: Frazer Wallace, The THEHAUSSTUDIO, Dundee
- Southern Hairdresser of the Year: Andrew Smith, Andrew Smith Salons, Gosport
- Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year: Nicholas James Tucker, Nicholas James Salon, Tonypandy, Wales
- Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year: Danny Malone, MACC Hair Belfast, Belfast
- International Collection of the Year: Jude McEwen, TONI&GUY, Perth, Australia
Specialist Categories
- Afro Hairdresser of the Year: Lisa Farrall, WIG London, London, E16
- Artistic Team of the Year: HOB Creative Team, HOB Academy, London, NW1
- Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year: Efi Davies, TONI&GUY Academy, London, WC1
- Men's Hairdresser of the Year: Kevin Luchmun, Luchmun Studios, Hertfordshire
- Newcomer of the Year: Annabel Payne, TONI&GUY Covent Garden, London WC2
- Schwarzkopf Professional’s British Colour Technician of the Year: Michela Bazzoli & Charley Henery, TONI&GUY Academy, London WC1
- Trend Image of the Year: Jake Unger, HOB Salons/Academy, London NW1
Nomination only categories:
- Session Stylist of the Year: Duffy, London
- British Hairdresser of the Year: Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY Academy, London WC1 (winner 2022, 2023 & 2024)
- Hall of Fame: Winning the same category three times: Seung-ki Baek, Rush, Southern Hairdresser of the Year 2010, 2013 & 2023