British beauty & spa awards 09 winners announced!

The winners of the British Beauty & Spa Awards 2009 have been announced at a lavish awards ceremony in London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Presented by GMTV's Michael Underwood and Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief of Health and Beauty Salon, the evening celebrated the finest salons, spas and therapists in the beauty industry.

BODY THERAPIST OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: Tina Kennedy, SenSpa, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Judges' comment: "The winner in this category presented their information in an exceptional way and the case study profile was second-to-none. This is a therapist who truly enjoys her art and the subsequent well-being of her clients."

MARKETING AWARD

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: Frontlinestyle, Bath

Judges' comment: "The winner demonstrated a fantastic use of every marketing medium available - from networking to crm - and the success was clearly identifiable in the results given. Excellent use of PR topped with beautiful marketing materials."

REGIONAL SALON OF THE YEAR WALES & SOUTH-WEST

Sponsor: Salon Secure

Presenter: Kevin Heaven, hair and beauty account handler

Winner: The Secret Spa, Wrexham

Judges' comment: "The winner is obviously a salon that knows how to survive in the current climate and continue to grow and move forward. Excellent values combined with hard work and the ability to share laughter with outstanding detail in their entry. A truly deserving winner."

FACIAL THERAPIST OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Guinot

Presenter: Jean-Francois Mondin, commercial director for Guinot UK and Ireland

Winner: Lynn Daniels, The Haven On the Loch, Balloch, Loch Lomond

Judges' comment: "The winner put forward an exceptional entry in a category where all entrants were of an incredibly high standard. A very professional therapist who provided outstanding details about herself, her clients and the treatments offered. By the time the judges finished reading her entry they really felt like they knew her."

MANICURIST OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Jessica

Presenter: Susan Gerrard, managing director

Winner: Heather Brown, Glow, Wrexham

Judges' comment: "The winner submitted a fantastic entry. One judge said 'I want this person to do my manicure'. The entry was well presented with very detailed homecare and extensive promotions. She really knows her stuff and describes everything beautifully and the judges were completely bowled over."

REGIONAL SALON OF THE YEAR MIDLANDS & NORTH-EAST

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: The Retreat Reflections Face & Bodycare, Brackley, Northamptonshire

Judges' comment: "The judges were particularly impressed with the winner's detailed presentation. The salon showed an excellent understanding of business in every sense and clearly demonstrated its worthiness to win."

RETAIL SALON OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: London College of Beauty Therapy

Presenter: Lynne Crane, head of education and training

Winner: Cedars Health & Beauty Centre, Gloucester

Judges' comment: "The winner has really thought retailing through and absolutely understands their customers' needs. They keep up-to-date with trends and are investing in the business. All in all, an excellent entry."

NAIL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Sweet Squared

Presenter: Samuel Sweet, managing director

Winner: Liza Smith, Bodylines, Sittingbourne, Kent

Judges' comment: "The winner provided excellent testimonials, terrific marketing and strong examples of developing others. She demonstrated good practice for day-to-day salon work, as well as being an extremely creative technician."

REGIONAL SALON OF THE YEAR LONDON & SOUTH-EAST

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: Independent Mindbodysoul, Balham, London

Judges' comment: "The winner submitted an outstanding entry that depicts a business which is thriving even in the current climate. It understands its position and maximises this to the full. It is innovative in its approach and committed to sustainability."

TRAINING AWARD

Sponsor: Dermalogica

Presenter: Lauren Buchan-Swanson, partnership programme manager

Winner: The Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall, Seaham, County Durham

Judges' comment: "The winner demonstrated a sensational training programme with clear follow through and feedback. Every element of a client's experience is also monitored, which is evidenced by the financials."

REGIONAL SALON OF THE YEAR NORTH-WEST & SCOTLAND

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: The Haven On The Loch, Balloch, Loch Lomond

Judges' comment: One judge simply said about the winner, "a truly superb entry with excellence in all areas. A delightful location - I want to be there now!"

BEAUTY THERAPIST OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Decleor

Presenter: Carolyn Taylor, managing director

Winner: Joanne Mary Smith, The Woodland Spa, Burnley, Lancashire

Judges' comment: "The winner is clearly a gifted therapist who displayed outstanding competency across all areas of the business and with a maturity and perspective to always give clients a superlative experience."

CUSTOMER CARE AWARD

Sponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: The Secret Spa, Wrexham

Judges' comment: "The winning entry showed a real team approach to customer care with a culture of going that extra mile to understand and meet their clients' every need."

SALON DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Carita

Presenter: Carolyn Taylor, managing director

Winner: Fiona Fowley, Zen Lifestyle, Edinburgh

Judges' comment: "The winner produced an outstanding entry that captured and inspired you to be part of her team. From a derelict site, she had the vision to create a spa and has taken it from a one-therapist operation, working seven-days-a-week by herself, to an award-winning, successful salon business."

SALON OF THE YEAR

S ponsor: Health and Beauty Salon

Presenter: Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief

Winner: The Secret Spa, Wrexham

Judges' comment: "It was agreed the winning salon clearly demonstrated professionalism and quality in all areas - from their treatment programme to customer care - with the values of the business undertaken by a motivated and enthusiastic team. A fantastic salon and a great winner."

DAY SPA OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Payot

Presenter: Olivier Marret, general manager

Winner: Buff Urban Day Spa, Taunton, Somerset

Judges' comment: "Our winner is an original day spa with a unique approach. The ambience is of fun and enjoyment with a customer journey that really hits the mark, and this day spa clearly delivers on its objective to exceed its clients' expectations."

DESTINATION/HOTEL SPA OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Espa

Presenter: Jackie O'Hare, national sales manager

Winner: The Spa at Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire

Judges' comment: "The winner was world-class. Exceptional facilities and staff that are at the peak of their profession ensure a truly wonderful customer experience that is second-to-none."

• See photos of the British Beauty & Spa Awards 2009