Hob awards celebrates salon success stories

Following another successful twelve months, the HOB Awards gave more than 600 team members from across the salon group a chance to shine with a glittering show at the HMV Forum in Kentish Town. Sponsored by HOB Salons' product partners Wella Professionals, alongside Alterna, ghd and Shortcuts, the evening rewarded and recognised the dedication and hard work of staff throughout the company. Gracing the same stage as acts including the Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay, to name but two, compère Sean Dawson welcomed the audience with a showreel highlighting the company's achievements over the last couple of years. Highlights included Akin Konizi scooping HJ's British Hairdresser of the Year for an amazing fourth year and Sean Nolan's win at Wella Trend Vision. Then it was on to the awards, which celebrated all aspects of the industry from retail and retention to cutting and colouring. Big wings on the night included Nataleah Brandy of Loughton, who was awarded manager of the year by HJ's publishing director, Jayne Lewis Orr, and Debbie Horgan of the Baker Street branch who was awarded Outstanding Individual Achievement. Reflecting on the evening, HOB Director Paul Simbler said: "Following another amazingly successful two years, we had a LOT to celebrate tonight! We are incredibly proud of all our achievements but most of all, our people whom without, none of this would be possible. The HOB Awards are about acknowledging and rewarding the hard work and commitment of our team, bringing everyone together and this is the perfect chance for the three of us to say thank you to our team and those that have been key in helping us get to where we are today!" And the winners were.. Assistant Award - Kirsty Innes, Whetstone Salon Training Award - St Albans Hair Care Expert Awards - Kylie Longstaff, West Hampstead Book Back Award - Joanne Gentry, Stanmore Individual Retailer Award - Amy Blythe, Camden Retail Salon Award - Camden Outstanding Individual Achievement Award - Debbie Horgan, Baker Street Front of House Award - Sam King, Radlett Colour Technician Award - Donna Larkin, Stanmore Special Achievement Award - Sean Nolan, Baker Street Stylist Award - George Katsaros, Northwood Outstanding Team Award - Loughton Educator Award - Darren Bain, HOB Academy Most Improved Salon - Amersham Assistant Manager Award - Richard Swash, Radlett Manager Award - Nataleah Brandy, Loughton (above) Franchisee Award - Robert Edwards, West Hampstead Salon Award - Camden