HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards has unveiled its 2026 finalists. The winners will be announced on Monday 2 March 2026 at the Royal Lancaster London, during the Salon Growth Summit event held from 1-2 March at London Olympia.
Mark Moloney, Managing Director of HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards, highlighted the resilience, leadership, and innovation of the industry. He noted that this year's finalists show strong business insight, a commitment to excellence, and contribute significantly to high streets, job creation, and client experiences. The quality of entries was described as impressive.
The list of finalists spans numerous categories including Assistant of the Year, Barbershop/Grooming Salon of the Year, Business Director of the Year, and Customer Service Award. Other categories recognise achievements in education, new business ventures, innovation, salon management, marketing campaigns, salon design, and overall salon and stylist performance. There is also recognition for salon teams, social media presence, and sustainable practices.
While the awards celebrate a broad spectrum of business success, the absence of a specific category for freelance or independent stylists working outside of traditional salon structures is noticeable. Given the increasing number of self-employed professionals in the sector, an award acknowledging their unique business challenges and achievements could offer valuable recognition.
