Francesco Hair Salons celebrated an unforgettable evening of recognition, achievement and celebration at the Francesco Hair Salon Business Awards 2024, bringing together the best of their talented teams and marking another milestone in their 56-year legacy. With 37 salons and academies across the UK, Francesco continues to set the standard for excellence in hairdressing.
The evening honoured long-serving team members, exceptional stylists and the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence in customer service, family values and heritage.
An Evening of Tributes and Triumphs
Hosted by Anya and Mia Dellicompagni, the night began with a heartfelt welcome, setting the tone for an event filled with warmth and celebration. The Dellicompagni cousins highlighted the Francesco family’s commitment to customer satisfaction, honouring the long-standing values that have driven the group’s success over more than five decades.
In an impressive show of dedication, the evening saw the celebration of 1,320 years of combined service, with team members who reached career milestones over the past five years being honoured. Notably, Jacky Corbett of Francesco Hair Hanley and Kerry O’Sullivan of Francesco Hair Church Lane were both recognised for an astounding 40 years of service, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Special Recognition: The Pam Armstrong Award
A highlight of the night was the presentation of the Pam Armstrong Award, which celebrates team members who go above and beyond to support their colleagues. This year’s award went to Rebecca Darmanin from the Nantwich salon, whose exceptional dedication and skill made her the standout choice, as judged by a panel from Wella Professionals, including Senior Director of Sales and Educator, Tatiana Suvorova.
Celebrating Industry Excellence: The Business Awards
The Business Awards, which recognised outstanding talent across the group, showcased the best in hairdressing and business performance:
- Apprentice of the Year: Bryanna Hudson (Knowle & Walsall) and Alex Warrilow (Newcastle) took home the coveted titles in the Hair Professional Apprentice and Advanced Creative Hair Professional Apprentice categories, respectively.
- Salon Trainer of the Year: MacKenzie Newlands of Bridle Road was honoured for her commitment to mentoring apprentices, helping to shape the next generation of hairdressing professionals.
- Newcomer of the Year: Natalie Jade Robinson of Northwich impressed the judges with her dedication and achievements since joining the team, earning her this prestigious title.
- Retailer of the Year: Christchurch Salon took the top spot, showcasing their outstanding client care and expert product recommendations.
- Stylist of the Year: Natalie Hewitt from Northwich triumphed in a highly competitive category, where only 4 points separated the top contenders.
- Colourist of the Year: Galina Johnson of Streetly was recognised for her excellence in client retention and colour services.
- Salon Director of the Year: The talented Vicky Taylor from Cheltenham earned the prestigious title, standing out for her exceptional performance and leadership, following her recent success as a finalist in the British Hairdressing Business Awards.
- Salon of the Year: The pinnacle of the evening, Eccleshall Salon, led by Salon Director Lola Skelton, was crowned Salon of the Year, celebrating their outstanding performance and growth throughout the year.
The evening was supported by salon partner Wella Professionals and sponsored by SalonIQ. The evening concluded with music from DJ Mark Segrove, artisan pizzas, and a performance by House Jammerz that kept guests dancing late into the night.
