At a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, a JW Marriott Hotel in London’s Park Lane, the winners of the 25th British Hairdressing Awards presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional were announced. The biggest event in the hairdressing calendar was a night Akin Konizi certainly wouldn’t forget as he was announced as the 2009 British Hairdresser of the Year.

Akin is in good company, as over the British Hairdressing Awards 25 year history there have only been 15 hairdressers who have been awarded this coveted title, the greatest accolade in hairdressing. They are – Trevor Sorbie, Anthony Mascolo, Irvine and Rita Rusk, John Frieda, Andrew Collinge, Nicky Clarke, Charles Worthington, Umberto Giannini, Beverly C, Mark Hill, Antoinette Beenders, Lisa Shepherd, Andrew Barton, Angelo Seminara and Akin Konizi. The newly crowned British Hairdresser of the Year, Akin was ecstatic when he won the coveted title. “I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out, I was overwhelmed and delighted – winning the title is a dream come true,” said Akin.

In 1985, the British Hairdressing Awards – presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional – were launched to reward hairdressers who were pushing the boundaries of hairdressing, creating and setting the trends and excelling in this competitive industry.

Each year hairdressers from all over the UK dedicate months of hard work preparing their entries for one of the sixteen categories. There are nine regional categories covering all areas of the UK, six specialist categories which incorporate a variety of disciplines including Afro, Men’s and Avant Garde hairdressing along with the Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year and the coveted award of British Hairdresser of the Year.

Compered by one of the most popular media personalities today, Dermot O’Leary with entertainment provided by London Community Gospel Choir over 1750 guests from the world of hairdressing, fashion and media mingled at the prestigious event. This year, three times winners of Afro Hairdresser of the Year Claire Rothstein and Scottish Hairdresser of the Year Tracey Devine were both presented with a Hall of Fame Award for winning their respective categories three times.

Any hairdresser from any salon can enter the awards and compete with the biggest names in the industry on a level playing field. Unlike other awards, the British Hairdressing Awards are based on photographic entries that demonstrate the skills and talents of the entrant. All entries are judged independently by a distinguished panel, with all entries remaining anonymous and all marks counted and compiled by an independent firm of auditors.

The British Hairdressing Awards has significantly raised the profile of British hairdressing both in the UK and overseas. Winners of all the categories can enjoy an increased media profile and the biggest award of the night – British Hairdresser of the Year – is recognised throughout the world. Overnight the winner will become an ambassador for British hairdressing – appearing on television, radio and in the national and consumer press.

“British hairdressing is renowned throughout the world for its creativity and innovation, and with the British Hairdressing Awards we are recognising, rewarding and celebrating the best of British,” said Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International, Jayne Lewis-Orr. “The standard of entries in all categories this year was incredible and the judges had a really difficult job. The future of British hairdressing is in very secure and creative hands and I am sure that in 2010, the bar will be raised even higher.”

The Winners of the 2009 British Hairdressing Awards

British Hairdresser of the Year 2009 – Akin Konizi, hob salons

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year – Darren Ambrose, D&J Ambrose, Middlesex

Men’s Hairdresser of the Year – Desmond Murray, Atherton Cox, London

Afro Hairdresser of the Year – Michelle Thompson, Francesco Group Advanced Academy, Stafford

Artistic Team of the Year – hob salons, London

Newcomer of the Year – Shaun Hall, Mark Leeson Hair Body & Mind, Mansfield

Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year – Chris Williams, Rush London, Croydon

London Hairdresser of the Year – Darren Bain, hob salons, London

Southern Hairdresser of the Year – Leo Bancroft, Leo Bancroft, Weybridge

Eastern Hairdresser of the Year – Terri Kay, Mark Leeson Hair Body & Mind, Mansfield

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year – James Whyte, Soul Hair, Chester

North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year – Susan Hall, Reds Hair & Beauty, Sunderland

North Western Hairdresser of the Year – Sharon Peake, Ethos, Manchester

Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year – Ken Picton, Ken Picton, Cardiff Bay

Scottish Hairdresser of the Year – Janer Stewart, Angels, Aberdeen

Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year – Kevin Kahan, Kevin Kahan, Bangor

www.britishhairdressingawards.co.uk