HJ NEWS
Head over to hji.co.uk and sign up to our newsletter for weekly updates
BRITISH AND SESSION NOMINEES REVEALED FOR HJ’S BRITISH HAIRDRESSING AWARDS 2026, SPONSORED BY SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL
HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, has revealed the nominees for its coveted British Hairdresser of the Year and Session Hairdresser of the Year categories.
The British Hairdresser of the Year nominees are Richard Ashforth, Jordanna Cobella, Efi Davies, Errol Douglas MBE, Bruno Marc Giamattei, Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Akin Konizi, Cos Sakkas and Tracey Ann Smith. The Session Hairdresser of the Year nominees are Duffy, Peter Burkill, Syd Hayes, Nick Irwin, Tyler Johnston, Guido Palau, Eugene Souleiman and Anthony Turner.
Recognised globally as one of the industry's most prestigious accolades, HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, has championed creative excellence since 1984, celebrating the very best in British and session hairdressing. Keep an eye on hji.co.uk for the reveal of our finalists and tickets for the red-carpet event on 23 November 2026.
Denman Helps Fund Outdoor Learning
Supporting charities remains a core part of Denman's ethos, a legacy championed by late Chairman Dr John Rainey MBE. The company recently donated more than £1,700 to the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA), helping fund outdoor learning programmes that encourage confidence, independence and curiosity in young people.
NIFSA, which works with more than half of Northern Ireland's schools and has trained over 1,000 Forest School Leaders, said the donation will help support its ongoing charitable work and mission to expand outdoor learning opportunities across the region.
Serving Up Support: Tennis Day Raises £500
Hair and beauty professionals took to the courts for the Hair & Beauty Charity Tennis Tournament at Weybridge Riverside Lawn Tennis Club, raising £500 for people in the industry facing hardship, illness or crisis. Organised by Hair & Beauty Charity committee member Philip Sharp, the event combined friendly competition with fundraising. Jonty Olivier was named winner for the Maypoles team, while Mary Beasley took the title for the Mayflowers. Hair & Beauty Charity President Jayne Lewis-Orr thanked everyone involved, highlighting the difference industry fundraising events can make.
34% THE INCREASE IN SALON ENERGY USE DURING PEAK STYLING PERIODS, FUELLED BY WEDDINGS, HOLIDAYS AND SOCIAL EVENTS, ACCORDING TO USWITCH BUSINESS ENERGY RESEARCH.
ENTRIES OPEN FOR HJ’S BRITISH HAIRDRESSING BUSINESS AWARDS 2027
Entries are now open for HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards 2027, celebrating outstanding business success across the hairdressing industry. This year’s awards incorporate the Modern Barber Awards, with categories including Assistant of the Year, Salon Team of the Year, Barber Team of the Year and Business Leader of the Year. Being shortlisted or winning can raise your profile, boost team morale and attract new clients. The awards ceremony will take place in March 2027. The deadline for entries is Friday 14 August 2026 at 5pm. Visit the HJ website to enter.
REMI CACHET APPOINTS NEW TEAM OF EXPERTS
Remi Cachet has announced a new team of industry experts, bringing together colour specialist Zoë Irwin, session stylist Adam Reed and extensions expert James Earnshaw.
The newly formed Remi Cachet Experts team will represent the brand through education, events and creative projects, showcasing the role of hair extensions across salon, session and trend-led work.
Pints & Ponytails founders Mathew Carter and Lawrence Price on partnering with Pivot Point to help dads build confidence through hair styling:
“WE WANT DADS TO HAVE THE MOST REALISTIC EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE DURING OUR EVENTS SO THEY CAN GO HOME FEELING MORE CONFIDENT. PIVOT POINT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US DELIVER THAT. BY PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY MANNEQUINS WITH DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES, THEY'VE HELPED US CREATE PRACTICAL SESSIONS THAT GIVE FATHERS THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS.”
Sam Villa Receives Legacy Award
Sam Villa, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Sam Villa Company, has been honoured with the Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award, recognising his longstanding contribution to education, mentorship and the professional beauty industry. The award celebrates individuals whose work has made a multi-generational impact on the sector. Throughout his career, Villa has become one of the industry's most respected educators. Accepting the award, he said: "This industry has given me so much more than a career. It gave me purpose, a voice – it gave me a family."
HARI'S CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS
London salon group HARI's is celebrating 50 years in business. Founded by Hari Salem in 1976, the family-run brand has grown into a five-salon group renowned for its expertise, creativity and celebrity clientele. Now led by the next generation, Lucan and Tassie Salem, the business is marking the milestone with a year-long programme of celebrations. Activities include a British Blow-Dry Edit, created in partnership with Sebastian Professional, inspired by iconic hairstyles from the 1970s to today. "Reaching 50 years is a testament to the talented people who have shaped HARI's over the decades and the loyal clients who continue to support us," said Hari.
HJ’s Business Boardroom: The Magic of Marketing
The second day of HJ’s Business Boardroom, in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel, saw the 2026 mentee team gather at the L’Oréal Academy to master strategic marketing.
Award-winning salon owner Sean Hanna kicked off the session, urging mentees to ditch discounts for emotional storytelling. "Marketing is the magic component that allows your business to be more profitable," Sean explained. With long hair trends reducing client visit frequency, premium marketing is essential to fill appointment books and raise prices. "‘20% off’ is a sales pitch," he warned. "‘Sara had a great new colour before her wedding’ is a story. People remember people." The mentees then shared their own marketing experiences and supported each other putting together their marketing calendars.
Next, three-times Marketing Campaign of the Year winner and current Business Director of the Year Michael Van Clarke gave an insight into what makes his marketing campaigns so effective. “Clients make a judgement really quickly – while the way the team dresses isn’t going to gain new clients, it’s the small details that are more important than you think. It goes without saying the haircut and colour has to be fantastic, but in today’s world it’s the whole experience that matters."