The nominees for HJ’s British Hairdresser of the Year 2026 have been revealed, spotlighting nine leading figures in the industry. Richard Ashforth, Jordanna Cobella, Efi Davies, Errol Douglas MBE, Bruno Marc Giamattei, Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Akin Konizi, Cos Sakkas, and Tracey Ann Smith will compete for this ultimate accolade.
These awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, have recognised global hairdressing talent since 1984. The ceremony will take place on Monday 23 November 2026 at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel. For those not yet nominated in the British Hairdresser of the Year category, entries for regional and specialist categories remain open until Friday 26 June at 5pm.
While the top honour's nominees are now public, the industry still awaits the announcement for Session Hairdresser of the Year. The inclusion of both established names and salon owners suggests a continued emphasis on both individual artistry and salon leadership within the awards. Salon owners and stylists should view these nominations as a benchmark for excellence and consider how their own work aligns with the calibre recognised by these prestigious awards.
