WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Previous Newcomer of the Year winners at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional reveal how the award took their career to new heights

HJ’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 1987
JASON MILLER

“I won Newcomer of the Year in 1987 and my wife, India, won it the following year. The hunger, passion, and excitement of being part of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional was immense – and still is! As a couple we went on to win Scottish Hairdresser of the Year three times (1997, 1999, 2002) and entered into the Hall of Fame.

We’ve presented as guest artists around the world at many of the top hair shows and exhibitions and we’ve worked with amazing photographers, stylists and make-up artists.

Winning Newcomer of the Year was a career milestone. The award was an important accolade and acknowledgement of our talents.

It brought a heightened level of satisfaction and inspiration to our work. As well as having a very successful family business and amazing team we still have as much passion and creativity today as we did in 1987. We have great admiration for current winners and continue to look forward to seeing future Newcomers of the Year.”

HJ’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 1999
COS SAKKAS

“I won Newcomer of the Year in 1999 and it was the start of an incredible career for me. After winning this award I went on to become an integral member of the TONI&GUY Artistic Team and we received more British Hairdressing Awards.

It gave me a taste of what it takes to win an award –I started shooting with photographers and models and working on my own style. I entered London Hairdresser of the Year and won in 2008, 2014 and 2015 and I’m proud to be in the Hall of Fame.

Nearly 20 years after winning my first award I was nominated for the ultimate accolade, HJ’s British Hairdresser of the Year in 2018, 2019 and 2020. I’m a regular backstage at London Fashion Week and until recently, I spent time travelling the world educating teams on trends and techniques.

My Newcomer of the Year collection was my first professional shoot and winning it opened my eyes to what the industry has to offer. It fuelled my passion for creating imagery and opened many doors. I’d advise all young hairdressers to do it.”

HJ’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2009
SHAUN HALL

“Winning Newcomer of the Year led to me becoming part of the Mark Leeson Art Team and I’ve travelled the world for shows, shoots and education.

I won Eastern Hairdresser of the Year in 2012, gained a promotion and opened a second Mark Leeson salon which I still manage. The salon’s location allowed me to enter Midlands Hairdresser of the Year which I won in 2015 and 2017. I’ve also been involved in shoots for Artistic Team of the Year which we’ve now won three times.

Winning that first award gave me so much confidence and encouragement to build my profile. I’ve represented brands and taken on ambassadorial roles. I’m currently a UK national ambassador for Revlon Professional and my progression and journey of winning awards has given me a loyal clientele. It’s allowed me to undertake creative work in the salon and push this creativity in shoots, seminars and shows. I never would have dreamed in 2009 that winning the award would have shaped my career in this way.”

HJ’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2013
SOPHIA HILTON

“Winning Newcomer of the Year was a turning point for me. After that I was lucky enough to assist Sally Brooks and travel the world with her. I worked as her first assistant and later worked side-by-side with her on-stage. Just after I won, I went travelling for six months. I’d wanted to enter Newcomer of the Year, which takes budget, but I also wanted to volunteer in Africa. Sally gave me two options – take a higher budget and not travel or go travelling and take a lower budget. I took the lower budget and I don’t regret it. I taught hairdressing in Madagascar which was incredible. I met my boyfriend and took him to Africa with me, came back, got married and had a baby. The 12 months after winning was a significant time for me personally.

When you win Newcomer of the Year people gain a new respect for you. To get to that level is a real achievement. I was in my early 20s when I won and I wanted to do everything quickly. Winning definitely propels you into the industry at speed.

After the win I opened my own hair salon and academy. I became the ambassador of Crazy Color and Innoluxe. I now have four businesses - Not Another Salon, Not Another Academy, Not Another Social and we have just started in retail with Not Another Tuck Shop.”

HJ’S NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2020
KATE DRURY

“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved with the help and support of my amazing team and mentor, Martin Crean. It’s inspired me to see where competition work will take me. Everyone at MODE, especially Martin, has been so supportive throughout the process and couldn’t have been more ecstatic when I won. I received congratulations and good wishes from suppliers, brands, fellow stylists and salons, which was really lovely.

It’s built my confidence in the salon too. I look forward to building an even bigger clientele at MODE and building my skills and profile as a professional in the industry.

It’s important to enter awards and competitions as it contributes to your personal growth and confidence. Be true to yourself and really make sure the collection reflects you, your ideas and your personal style.”

Go to hji.co.uk/bhato enter this year before entries close on Friday 2 July at 5pm