BIG NIGHT OUT

The highlights from the much-anticipated British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional

On Monday 27 November 2023 the winners of the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional were crowned at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on London's Park Lane. 

Hosted by Katherine Ryan, Hairdressers Journal International Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr, Schwarzkopf Professional General Manager UK and Ireland, Julian Crane, and Hairdressers Journal International Editor Charlotte Grant-West, the evening saw 1400 hairdressers gather.

There were fabulous shows from sponsors Schwarzkopf Professional, Nick Irwin and the Schwarzkopf Professional Young Artistic Team as well as the eight British Hairdresser of the Year nominees, plus a per formance by Abba tribute band Björn Again too.

But the audience were there to see the winners receive their beautiful trophies…

Let’s look back at the winners, guests and stand-out moments from the night.

KEN PICTON, KEN PICTON SALON

“Last time I won this my daughter was nine brother over who would take the trophy home - and now she’s here with me as a hairdresser! We tried to do something a bit different this year with the collection, and I’m so glad the judges liked it.”

DANNY MALONE, MACC HAIR

“Wow, I’m so nervous. I’d like to thank my photographer Lee Mitchell and Mark Leeson. I’ll meet you all at the bar!”

OLIVIA BINCH, MARK LEESON

“Thank you to my amazing bosses, Mark Leeson and Richard Darby. I recently celebrated 10 years in the salon and I would not be here without you. To everyone who has supported me, thank you.”

RICK & ZOE ROBERTS, RICK ROBERTS

Zoe: “We always dedicate our awards to our children and this one is no different.” Rick: “So much passion and creativity goes into the collections, so a big up to everyone in this room. Whether you are a winner or that counts.”

DAVID CORBETT, DAVID CORBETT HAIRDRESSING

“This is the first time I’ve won this category. I normally leave here empty-handed, but I always come back and try again. Thank you to everyone in this room for inspiring me to keep going. Thank you to my assistant on the shoot– this has made my dreams come true.”

SEUNG-KI BAEK, RUSH HAIR

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for such a long time. The last time I was up here was actually in 2013, and now I’m in the Hall of Fame! There are so many names I want to thank… not least my colour team! I’m so proud of them. And to my wife and my daughter – I love you all!”

TRACEY ANN SMITH, FRENCH + IVI

“It’s been over 20 years since I’ve won one of these trophies. I’m actually really overwhelmed. My daughter is here tonight and so is my team. We did it!”

LAURA KULIK & RIA KULIK, THE HAIRBANK

year we won. I just didn’t think we’d be able to do it two years in a row. You know what, I’m a 62 year old granny and I’m still doing it.” Ria: “I just want to thank everyone. I want to thank all the girls that always help us, and my husband is fantastic too!”

JORDANNA COBELL A, COBELL A

“Thank you so much, I’m actually quite shocked. I’m so grateful to be in this room, I’m obsessed with hair, and I think most of you can see that!”

ANTOINETTE BEENDERS, AVEDA & JORGE CÁNCER, X-PRESION

Antoinette: “The last time I stood on this stage was in 2004 when I won British Hairdresser of the Year, and now to be on the stage with Jorge is fantastic. We absolutely love our collection.” Jorge: “It’s an honour to be here, there are many people who make up X-presion and worked really hard on this collection.”

ELYSE POINTON, EDWARD & CO

“Thank you so much. I’d love to thank my brilliant team, my amazing photographer, and Gary Taylor for always supporting me.”

DARJA LAETT, TONI&GUY KENSINGTON

“Oh my god, thank you so much. I haven’t prepared a speech because I did not expect this. Thank you so much to my whole TONI&GUY salon family. You are my queens, my biggest inspiration. A very huge thank you to my best friends.”

SAM ELLIOT, TONI&GUY COVENT GARDEN

“This has been a lifelong dream. I’d like to thank everyone from the TONI&GUY Artistic Team who have taught me everything I know. They really started to push me to my creative limits. To my Mum and Dad, this is for you. This is to everyone who didn’t win tonight and for everyone I hold dear to my heart. ”

MELISSA TIMPERLEY & SARA WILLIAMS, MELISSA TIMPERLEY SALONS

“We really pride ourselves on being an inclusive salon – we are gender neutral, hijab friendly and cater to all types of hair. And we felt like it was really important as two girls who don’t have Afro hair, to put ourselves forward, educate ourselves and show others the importance of training and education.”

LUCIA SIERO HERNÁNDEZ, TONI&GUY WESTFIELD WHITE CITY

“I don’t even know what to say because I wasn’t expecting this. I just want to say thank you so much to everyone, we’ve all worked so hard. Thank you so much to my family for coming all the way from Spain. ”

MARK LEESON ARTISTIC TEAM

“We literally would not be here tonight if it wasn’t for the team. We’re all here tonight, we all got through it and we are having an absolutely amazing time.”

EUGENE SOULEIMAN

“I’m elated that my peers in the industry respect me and have voted for me. There’s a lot of people I would like to thank for this award, including Carlo Avena and my agent Sonia – and everyone that voted for me.”

SUZIE MCGILL, RAINBOW ROOM INTERNATIONAL

“I’ve been working so hard for this one. Thank you to my Schwarzkopf family, we’ve been with these guys for 44 years! Thank you to Alan and Linda Stewart who are my mentors, my wonderful art team, my photographer Michael Young and Clare Frith, the beautiful clothes stylist.”

COS SAKKAS

“I’m not usually this soppy! Last year was TONI&GUY’s 60th Anniversary, and I’ve been honoured to work with them for the past 30 years. Sacha [Mascolo-Tarbuck], you don’t know what this means to me and what TONI&GUY mean to me. This is just incredible. I said it earlier, but let’s embrace our industry, we’re the best in the world.”