On Monday 24 November 2025, the winners of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional were crowned at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London in a glittering ceremony.
Hosted by TV presenter (and former hairdresser!) Rylan Clark, the evening saw the 1500-strong audience engaged, entertained and blown away by the talent in the room.
Mark Moloney, Professional Beauty Group Managing Director, gave a welcome address and spoke of future plans, including the 2026 #BHABursary.
Hairdressers Journal International’s Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr was then given a tribute to mark her departure from Hairdressers Journal International and the Professional Beauty Group. The room showed their unwavering appreciation for her dedication, passion and commitment to the industry.
Next, the opening show by Schwarzkopf Professional, captivated the room with their ‘For Every You’ collaboration which brought hair, fashion and music culture together in a visual spectacle with special guest Beth Ditto and led by Nick Irwin.
Schwarzkopf Professional’s General Manager UK and Ireland Mert Eren, as well as Richard Thomasson, Head of Wholesale Channel, UK & Ireland, Ed Mosley, Head of Direct Sales UK & Ireland, Annamarie Freeman, Head of Marketing UK Hair Professional, and Kay Brady, Education and Events Manager, alongside HJ’s Deputy Editor Sian Jones, Editor Charlotte Grant-West, Group Sales Director Jackie Brown and Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr presented the 18 regional and specialist awards.
We were then treated to a performance by Nadine Coyle and the stunning British nominee catwalk shows.
But of course, the audience was waiting with baited breath to find out the British Hairdresser of the Year at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2025, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional…
Keep scrolling to find out the winners and the newly crowned British Hairdresser of the Year.
The British Hairdressing Awards 2025, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional Winners
James Earnshaw, James Earnshaw Hair, North Western Hairdresser of the Year 2025
"I didn't prepare anything because I think it's bad luck! But I just want to say thank you so much. These awards are so hard and anyone who is a finalist will know the weird addiction that trying to win brings. It's never enough! This is my second time and I’m so thankful. Thank you to Hairdressers Journal of course, and thank you to my team who helped me, Richard, Meg, Emily, Josh, Fraser, everyone I appreciate you!"
Steven Smart, Smartest 73, Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year 2025
"I went into Hall of Fame for this category a few years ago and that was a dream come true. But to come back after that and win it again is just absolutely mind-blowing. I'd like to thank all the judges. I'm really proud of this collection and to be a winner in Wales and Southwest is a huge honour. I'd really like to thank my team because I can't do it without them. Jamie Blanchard, my photographer, Jo Lomax, and my amazing wife who does all the makeup and all the styling for the shoots as well. Thank you so much."
Damien Johnston & Stephen Aiken, Pure Hair, Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I want to thank all our staff in the salon who support us, and all our colleagues and friends came together to make this the shoot that we wanted to create.”
Darrel Starkey, Taylor’s Hair Studio, Eastern Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“For six years I’ve been trying to win. I sat in the back of this room when Robert Eaton won British and I found a piece of confetti and I’ve kept it. Here it is! To my right-hand woman and make-up artist Safy, to Olivia, Harry, Louis and everyone who supported me, my milk_shake family and all those who believed in me this year. My partner Wayne, we met six months ago, has changed my life and a big thank you to my son, every year when I didn't win, he was like “daddy, you'll get it”. And Taylor, daddy got it!”
Emma Simmons, Salon 54, North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I want to say thank you to Errol Douglas, because when I was 20 I saw him in the British Hairdressing Awards gallery. For the past seven years I’ve been in that gallery and I’ve been waiting for this moment. Thank you to my long-suffering husband and son, who have been my biggest supporters, and my team who I could not have done this without you.”
David Corbett, David Corbett Hairdressing, Scottish Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I feel amazing. Winning this award twice feels the world, I don’t feel like an imposter anymore. This is for my team in Glasgow, if I win, we win together. Thank you to my shoot team, Richard and Magdalena, Roseanna, Amy Lou and Amy Lynn. Thanks to all the other finalists. There’s so much talent in this room, young and old. You can teach old dog new tricks, I’m testament to that! Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
David Cassidy, Palette & Bristle, Southern Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I’m quite shocked. This is my first-ever entry, I can’t believe I’ve done it. For anyone who’s never entered before, try it next year!”
Rebecca Jacques & Aimee Atkins, Rebecca Jacques Hair, Midlands Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“ This feels unreal. I stood and won this award many years ago and now I get to do it with my partner, Aimee, which feels so, so special. Thank you everyone that has helped us put this collection together - from Chris on photography, the incredible Borna on styling. Hannah Davis on make-up nd our incredible hair assistants Dylan and Gavin.
Audacity is the name of this collection because it was about being incredibly audacious in life with hair and with the classics, and paying tribute to this wonderful craft, which looks like it's paid off. Babe, I'm shaking!
I want to thank everyone in this room that supports us, what we're about and what we do to our friends and family that continue to back us on this journey. It means so, so much. It never goes unnoticed. I want to thank you Aimee for actually believing in us and for your grit and your creativity.”
Lucia Siero Hernandez, TONI&GUY Westfield, London Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“ I want to say a massive thank you my family. Sorry I'm shaking! I just can't believe it! To my mum and dad, who don't speak English, but thank you so much. My TONI&GUY family, they're just over there. You guys are incredible. Thank you so much. This is all thanks to you. I can't wait to keep on at the company and doing what I do best.
Thank you to everyone here. You guys inspire me a lot and this is a dream. I’ve been up here two times and I just can't believe it.”
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services, International Collection of the Year 2025
“It’s amazing to be here from Australia. Thank you to my team, Andrew O'Toole, and Kylie and Catherine, and a really big thank you to Eleven Australia for being a part of this collection. Thank you so much, everybody.”
Rick Roberts, Rick Roberts, Trend Image of the Year 2025
“I am honestly shocked. I want to say a massive thank you. Thank you to every one of you guys that inspire me. Massive thank you to, Paige who collaborated with me on this picture. To the team, my incredible wife, Zoe Roberts, and Richard Miles. Roseanna for the makeup. You’re here for the first time and I can't believe it's the first time because your makeup is incredible. Magdalena for her beautiful styling. Thank you to my children, you inspire me every day. Do you know what? Just believe in your dreams because you know through and hard work.”
Chloe Houston, Houston Hair, Newcomer Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I want to say thank you so much for everyone that has ever stood behind me, from my dad, to watch him have loved what he does, and watching him, to the creative team that helped me and our photographer, Kevin. It's just been amazing.”
Rick Roberts & Zoe Roberts, Rick Roberts, Afro Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“Thank you very much to all support who our friends and family are here. We have some very special friends that flew in from Canada to come to the awards. We haven’t won this for seven years! We couldn't do this without the team that we have behind us. The photographers, the makeup artists, the people that inspire us, our parents. Thank you Schwarzkopf Professional and Hairdressers Journal. Kay Brady you always support me in everything I do and to the education team, you are all incredible.”
Joshua Lamonaca, Menspire, Men’s Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I feel incredibly honoured to be standing here tonight amongst so many incredibly talented people who push the craft forward every single day. I respect you. I thank you. I love you all. I want say a big thank you to David Mannah and Jordan who do my photographs. I want to say a big thank you to all of my directors at Menspire for believing in me, for pushing me, challenging me every single day to become a greater artist, a greater leader overall, and a greater human being.
And one more mention. Deservedly to Samuel Palmer, my business partner, who once nicknamed me ‘the dream’ and I never understood. Now, I never understood why until tonight and Samuel my bro, you gave me the license, the dream, you gave me the freedom to come away from the chair, to fulfill my creativity, to help build a brand bus so that we can push this industry forward more united, stronger and better.
Tonight I take home the victory, but all the glory lies before the Almighty and most high. Thank you very much. Goodnight.”
Efi Davies, TONI&GUY London, Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“Amazing! I have to say the competition this year was absolutely fantastic and I did not expect this because every single collection was so inspiring and creative. HJ this is such an honour. I always, always, always say, this is a team's effort, but first I have to thank Sasha for letting me do me.
The TONI&GUY London Academy guys, I love you so much. And for those beautiful, beautiful images. I couldn't have done it with an incredible team behind me. David Manna, your gorgeous photography, Lan, you're just magical with your makeup. Borna, for the styling! And Alice for organizing everything. Thank you so much guys, also this is for my baby and for my mama!”
Hob Academy Creative Team, Hob Academy, Artistic Team of the Year 2025
Akin Konizi: “I’m so surprised! We got this award last year, and we’re so grateful to be up here again. It’s been a difficult couple of years. But I really believe in this team and how they have pulled together. We did our best and this is what we’ve got!”
Nestor Sanchez: “I want to say a massive thank you to the team, to Clive, Paul, Tash and thank you to Jake Unger too. We weren’t expecting this and we’re very happy!”
Eugene Souleiman, Session Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“I've won this quite a few times, but seeing the amazing competition that surround me I feel really privileged. Thank you so much! Oh and to Lisa Farrall for having me on your table!"
Steven Smart, Smartest 73, Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year 2025
“Creating colour for this award is probably one of the hardest things I've ever done in my career. It’s a massive undertaking and to be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get there. I've been nominated before, but when I look at who I am up against I've got to say congrats to all, your work was stunning. I’d like to thank first and foremost my wife for everything that she does for my collections. She's not only a make-up artist, but she's also the clothes stylist. She’s a huge support. Thank you to Jo Lomax, who's a massive part of our artistic team.”
Efi Davies, TONI&GUY London Academy, British Hairdresser of the Year 2025
“What the hell just happened? Honestly, I cannot believe it! First of all, I just want to say I wish you knew how honoured I am to just to be nominated amongst these amazing British nominees. They have all been so welcoming and so supportive. It's an absolute honour to be nominated alongside you.
Obviously, TONI&GUY, you guys are my family, and I couldn't have done it without you. When I first found out that I was nominated, I could not believe it. Trust me, ask Jayne! Sasha was absolutely amazing, straight away supporting me to do my photo shoot where I can actually create a collection that truly represents who I am as a hairdresser.
As a hairdresser you might have a concept, but it's everybody's talent that brings it together. David Mannah, thank you so much for capturing what I had in my head. I know it was not easy, and I thank you for it.
Oh my God, I can't believe, I need to tell my lovely daughter! This is for my daughter, who I do everything for. It’s also dedicated to my mama, because without her helping me looking after my daughter I wouldn't be up here. So to all those mamas out there!”
A huge congratulations to 2025 Hall of Fame entrants
Olivia Barnes, Mark Leeson
Zoe Roberts & Rick Roberts, Rick Roberts
Andrew Smith, Andrew Smith Salons
