Collective pride awards 2023 winners announced

The winners for the Collective Pride Awards 2023 were crowned athe award ceremony which took place on Monday 3 April 2023 at London’s Barber Surgeons’ Hall, with the media support of HJ, Modern Barber and Professional Beauty. The Collective Pride Awards are the awards which make a difference: they are designed to reward hair, beauty and barbering professionals who go beyond the call of duty to help clients in their time of need – invariably when they are struggling with mental health – to genuinely make a difference to someone’s life. Created by Lion’s Barber Collective (LBC) founder Tom Chapman, the awards recognise the compassionate work of our industries’ unsung heroes, who not only deliver exceptional personal care services day in, day out – but who truly do their utmost to help those in need. Take a look at this year’s winners:

Exceptional College Award, sponsored by VTCT – South Devon College

“This college has supported the Lions Barber Collective since its inception providing a platform for the charity to spread their message to the next generation of the hair and beauty industry. South Devon became a member of the Lions Academy project to align and reduce the stigma around mental health as well as preparing their learners for the conversations they will have once they are working behind the chair, ensuring all those who qualify have completed the BarberTalk Lite training. This will create a legacy and overtime it ensures that everyone in Torbay’s community will have access to mental health trained hair and beauty professionals.”  

Exceptional Educator Award, sponsored by Lions Barber Collective – Jack Maude @ Milton Keynes

“Jack is inspirational, not only has he integrated BarberTalk mental health training into the curriculum he teaches but his passion has led to producing some of the finest young barbers in the industry today. He genuinely cares about the individuals he teaches, showing them what a wonderful industry we are in and the endless opportunities and paths available to them. The future of our industry will be better because of Jack and each barber that goes out into the world will impact so many people positively over their careers because of the start he gives them.”

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Lions Barber Collective – Dan Burnett

“After a chance meeting with Tom Chapman, when Dan was a Post Graduate Finalist at Barberfest, he offered to be a volunteer for Lions Barber Collective and to say he exceeded expectations is an understatement. Very quickly Dan became an essential part of the charity sharing his corporate knowledge and skills. In 2022, Lions Barber Collective was close to closure due to lack of funds, Dan was a huge part in the charity changing directions to ensure a future working hard to build relationships with partners, especially in construction (which has the highest suicide rate of industry) which has not only ensured the charity is still around but also impacted so many people positively. Dan truly is one of a kind, often volunteering way more than his suggested day a week for the charity and his passion for the cause and belief in our mission and vision needs to recognised and celebrated.”

My Saviour Award, sponsored by STMNT – Sarah Hashim

“As Beneficiary Executive for the Hair & Beauty Charity, Sarah is often the first point of call for our friends and colleagues in the industry who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. The calls are harrowing and heart rending and Sarah goes above and beyond what you would expect from any employee – even one employed by a charity. She is calm, caring, thoughtful and compassionate and has to deal with the most difficult conversations when people are often beyond just emotional – they are desperate and willing to go to any length to get the help they need for their families. Sarah is a real Saviour to those who call the charity and offer care and kindness when the world for the caller, is a very dark, lonely and bleak place to be.” Sarah's award was collected by Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of Hairdressers Journal International

Beyond Business Award, sponsored by Phorest – Captain Fawcett

“Established in 2017, BarbersRide has so far raised a grand total of £110,000 for charities including The Lion’s Barber Collective, London’s Great Ormond Street and Liverpool’s Alder Hey children’s hospitals. It can be a lonely business and mental health suffers. During the Ride, individuals become a community, often far out of their comfort zones, taking pride in themselves and each other. It’s a collective effort, no-one is left behind. It’s a powerfully positive experience. When barbers and bikers are united on the road with a real sense of common purpose, the camaraderie is like nothing else. In turn BarbersRide boosts emotional well-being for those who take part, it’s the healthiest kind of quality time with mates and family. Life-long friendships are forged and riders return weary, yet uplifted. BarbersRide is about everyone going the extra mile for each other. In 2023 we ride again. The mission: to raise over £25,000 for Make-A-Wish. Preparations have already started. See you on the road.”

More Than Award, sponsored by Andis – Matthew Elliot

“To be honest my career should never have started let alone have lasted the past decade, I was diagnosed with a life long condition called Marfans Syndrome in 2008/2009 and I became quite unwell. Marfans is a progressive condition that effects bones and connective tissue, but it was the mental health side of things that really brought me to my knees I spent two years out of work and feeling at my lowest and the only real interaction or self love I had during this time was get my haircut, my barber at the time was really good with me got me talking got me feeling good and offered me an apprenticeship with him. I fell in love with the job and the industry and the purpose I found sparked the next 11 years of barbering for me. I’m helping to change the lives of others using the very job that saved me. I’ve dedicated my life to helping others because I’m living proof that despite the odds being stacked against you, you can still have an amazing career or fulfilled life it just takes us being good humans and giving time.”

Against the Odds Award, sponsored by Denman, Courtney Griffiths

Courtney trained in year 11 with HATA’s intervention programmes, where learners have been or are going to be excluded from school. Mary Pugsley MBE, HATA: “Courtney found mainstream education challenging with a low attendance record. With us she’s achieved 100% attendance and passed exams with flying colours, gaining a VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Hair & Beauty Skills, + Women’s & Men’s Hairdressing. A fully-qualified tutor, she’s now working towards VTCT Level 3 Award in Education and Training.”  Courtney says: “I’d always wanted to be a hairdresser. On my first day, I was nervous, but it’s really heart-warming from the moment you walk in, and I could relate to the students. Mary kept complimenting me on my work and telling me how proud she was of what I’d achieved. It gave me a boost to succeed. Now I’m teaching students and encouraging them to be positive for their future. Saying don’t look back, move forward, if ‘I can do it, then so can you!”

The Sam Wall Unsung Hero, sponsored by American Crew - Matthew Elliot

This year at the Collective Pride Awards one of the seven winners was announced as the 2023 Unsung Hero, sponsored by American Crew, for their outstanding and heroic contribution to others. This much-deserved award went to Matthew Elliot. The award is in memory of the always-missed Sam Wall and is the jewel in the crown of the Collective Pride Awards. It is a fitting trophy for any individual that has gone above and beyond for their clients, colleagues and communities like our 2023 Collective Pride Award heroes have! Explains Tom: “When I lost my close friend, a terrific barber and Lions Barber Collective ambassador, Sam Wall, to suicide, I wanted to do something to keep his memory alive. I also realised how much we do to look after our clients, how we really do reach out to and can help clients we see struggling. I regret not recognising signs of distress in Sam and am now making it my mission to focus on seeing the signs, share this with my fellow professionals to then offer the best help we can to make lives better – in some cases, actually save a life.” A huge congratulations to the worthy winners from Hairdressers Journal International team. We look forward to seeing you all next year!