A VISUAL SPECTACLE
HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2025, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, will surely go down as one of the most dazzling in history. Relive the night and raise a glass to the winners and their work!
THE 2025 WINNERS ON STAGE
THE 2025 HALL OF FAME
THE SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL SHOW - FEATURING BETH DITTO
SINGER NADINE COYLE
HOST RYLAN CLARK
THE BRITISH NOMINEE SHOWS
COS SAKKAS
EFI DAVIES
ERROL DOUGLAS MBE
HOOKER & YOUNG
JORDANNA COBELLA
RICHARD ASHFORTH
ROBERT EATON
SALLY BROOKS
NORTH WESTERN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
JAMES EARNSHAW, JAMES EARNSHAW HAIR
“I didn’t prepare a speech because I think it’s bad luck, but thank you so much! These awards are so tough, and anyone who has been a finalist will know the strange addiction that comes with trying to win. This is my second time, and I’m so grateful. Thank you to Hairdressers Journal and thank you to the team – Richard, Meg, Emily, Josh, Fraser, everyone. I appreciate you all!”
WALES & SOUTH WEST HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
STEVEN SMART, SMARTEST 73
“I went into the Hall of Fame for this category a few years ago, and that was a dream come true. But to come back after that and win again is absolutely mind-blowing. I’m really proud of this collection, and winning for my region is a huge honour. I’d also like to thank my team because I can’t do it without them. Jamie, my photographer, Jo, and my amazing wife, Debra, who does all the make-up and styling for
the shoots.”
NORTHERN IRELAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
DAMIEN JOHNSTON & STEPHEN AIKEN, PURE HAIR
“I want to thank all our staff in the salon who support us, and all our colleagues and friends who came together to make this the shoot that we wanted to create.”
EASTERN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
DARREL STARKEY, TAYLOR’S HAIR STUDIO
“For six years I’ve been trying to win. I sat at the back of this room when Robert Eaton won British and I picked up a piece of confetti and kept it for good luck. And here it is! To my right-hand woman and make-up artist Safy, to Olivia, Harry, Louis and everyone who supported me, my milk_shake family, and all those who believed in me this year. To my partner Wayne, who I met six months ago and who has changed my life. And a big thank you to my son. Every year when I didn’t win, he’d say ‘Daddy, you’ll get it.’ And Taylor… daddy got it!”
NORTH EASTERN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
EMMA SIMMONS, SALON 54
“I want to say thank you to Errol Douglas, because when I was 20 I saw him in the British Hairdressing Awards gallery. For the past seven years I’ve been a finalist in that gallery, and I’ve been waiting for this moment. Thank you to my husband and son, who have been my biggest supporters, and my team – I could not have done this without you.”
SCOTTISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
DAVID CORBETT, DAVID CORBETT HAIRDRESSING
“I feel amazing. Winning this award twice means the world, I don’t feel like an imposter anymore. This is for my team in Glasgow – if I win, we win together. Thank you to my shoot team, Richard and Magdalena, Roseanna, Amy Lou and Amy Lynn. Thanks to all the other finalists. There’s so much talent in this room, young and old. You can teach an old dog new tricks, I’m testament to that! Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
SOUTHERN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
DAVID CASSIDY, PALETTE & BRISTLE
“I’m quite shocked. This is my first-ever entry, I can’t believe I’ve done it. For anyone who’s never entered before, try it next year!”
MIDLANDS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
REBECCA JACQUES & AIMEE ATKINS, REBECCA JACQUES HAIR
“This feels unreal. I won this award years ago a couple of years ago, and getting to do it now with my partner Aimee feels incredibly special. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this collection to life: Chris on photography, Borna on styling, Hannah on make-up, and our amazing assistants Dylan and Gavin. Audacity was about being bold with hair and the classics, and really paying tribute to this craft. Thank you to everyone who supports us, and thank you Aimee for your belief, grit and creativity.”
LONDON HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
LUCIA SIERO HERNANDEZ, TONI&GUY WESTFIELD
“I want to say a massive thank you to my family. I just can’t believe it! To my mum and dad, thank you so much. To my TONI&GUY family, you guys are incredible. I can’t wait to keep on doing what I do best. Thank you to everyone here. You guys inspire me a lot and this is a dream. I’ve been up here two times now and I just can’t believe it.”
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION OF THE YEAR 2025
BERNADETTE BESWICK, BESWICK EDUCATION SERVICES
“It’s amazing to be here from Australia. Thank you to my team, Andrew, and Kylie and Catherine, and a really big thank you to Eleven Australia and Rachel for being a part of this collection. Thank you so much, everybody.”
TREND IMAGE OF THE YEAR 2025
RICK ROBERTS, RICK ROBERTS
“I am honestly shocked. I want to say a massive thank you. Thank you to every one of you who inspires me. A huge thank you to Paige, who collaborated with me on this image. To my team,
my incredible wife Zoe, and our photographer Richard. Roseanna, your make-up is incredible, and I can’t believe this is your first time here. Magdalena, thank you for your beautiful styling. And to my children, who inspire me every day. Believe in your dreams, because with passion and hard work, anything is possible.”
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2025
CHLOE HOUSTON, HOUSTON HAIR
“I want to say thank you so much to everyone that has ever stood behind me. Thank you to my dad, to watch him love what he does is so inspiring, and to the creative team that helped me and our photographer, Kevin. This has just been amazing.”
AFRO HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
RICK ROBERTS & ZOE ROBERTS, RICK ROBERTS
“Thank you to all our friends and family who are here. We have some special friends that flew in from Canada to come to the awards. We couldn’t do this without the team that we have behind us. The photographers, the make-up artists, the people that inspire us, our parents. Thank you Schwarzkopf Professional, Kay Brady you always support us in everything we do – and to the education team, you are all incredible!”
MEN’S HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
JOSHUA LAMONACA, MENSPIRE
“I feel incredibly honoured to stand here tonight among so many talented people who push the craft forward. I respect you, and I thank you. A huge thank you to David and Jordan for my photographs, and to the MENSPIRE Directors for believing in me and pushing me to grow as an artist, leader and human. And to my business partner Samuel, who gave me the freedom to pursue my creativity and help build our brand.”
AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
EFI DAVIES, TONI&GUY LONDON
“The competition this year was incredible, and I genuinely did not expect this because every collection was so inspiring and creative. Hairdressers Journal, this is such an honour. I always say this is a team effort and I have to thank Sacha for letting me be me. To the TONI&GUY London Academy team, I love you. David for your gorgeous photography, Lan for your magical makeup, Borna for the styling, and Alice for organising everything. Thank you all.
This is for my baby and for my mama.”
ARTISTIC TEAM OF THE YEAR 2025
HOB ACADEMY CREATIVE TEAM
AKIN: “I’m so surprised! We got this award last year, and we’re so grateful to be up here again. It’s been a difficult couple of years, but I really believe in this team and how they have pulled together. We did our best and this is what we’ve got!”
NESTRO: “I want to say a massive thank you to the team, to Clive, Paul, Tash and thank you to Jake too. We weren’t expecting this and we’re very happy!”
SESSION HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
EUGENE SOULEIMAN
“I know I've won this quite a few times, but seeing the amazing competition that surrounds me I feel really privileged. Thank you so much! Oh and to Lisa for having me on your table tonight!”
SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL BRITISH COLOUR TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR 2025
STEVEN SMART, SMARTEST 73
“Creating colour for this award is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my career. It’s a huge undertaking, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever get here. I’ve been nominated before, and looking at who I was up against this year, I want to say congratulations to all of you – your work was stunning. I want to thank my wife Debra, who supports every collection as both make-up artist and stylist, and Jo, who is a huge part of our artistic team.”
BRITISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2025
EFI DAVIES, TONI&GUY LONDON ACADEMY
“What the hell just happened? I honestly cannot believe it! I feel so honoured just to be nominated alongside such amazing British nominees, you’ve all been so welcoming and supportive, and it’s a privilege to stand with you. TONI&GUY, you are my family and I couldn’t have done this without you. When I found out about the nomination, I was in shock. Sacha supported me instantly, helping me create a collection that truly represents who I am. And David, thank you for capturing the vision in my head. This is for my daughter, who I do everything for, and for my mama, who helps me care for her. To all the mamas out there – thank you.”