The hairdressing elite flocked to London’s glamorous Grosvenor Hotel last night to see who would be crowned the best of the best in the annual HJ British Hairdressing Awards, Winners were chosen across the nine regional and six specialist categories before the coveted British Hairdresser of the Year title was revealed.

This year’s nominees, Darren Ambrose, Errol Douglas, Mark Hayes, Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Akin Konizi, Mark Leeson & Jamie Stevens put on a stunning showcase of their nominated collections before Darren Ambrose took home the title.

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year:
Shaun Hall, Mark Leeson, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
North Western Hairdresser of the Year:
Gary Taylor, Edward & Co.Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year:
Julie Cherry and Collette Fitzpatrick, Shane Bennett Salon, Co. Down
Scottish Hairdresser of the Year:
Caroline Sanderson and Claire McIntyre, Ego Hair Design, Inverness
North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year:
Jill Watkins-Wright, Watkins-Wright Hairdressing, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Southern Hairdresser of the Year:
Robert Masciave, Metropolis Hairdressing, Kingston-upon-Thames
Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year:
Martin Crean, Mode, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Eastern Hairdresser of the Year:
Callum Standen-May, The Egg, Norwich
London Hairdresser of the Year:
Cos Sakkas, Toni & Guy, Sloane Square
Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year:
Lucie Monbillard, seanhanna, London
Newcomer of the Year:
Sophie Springett, Toni & Guy, South Kensington, London
Men’s Hairdresser of the Year:
Marcus King, Hooker & Young, Wynyard, Billingham
Afro Hairdresser of the Year:
Michelle Thompson, Francesco Group Advanced Academy, Stafford
Artistic Team of the Year:
Shane Bennett Salon, Hillsborough, Co. Down
British Colour Technician of the Year:
Issie Churcher, HOB Salons, Camden, London
British Hairdresser of the Year:
Darren Ambrose