Akin Konizi from hob salons was announced as the 2009 British Hairdresser of the Year during the 25th British Hairdressing Awards. Akin had won the same award in 2008 and repeated his successful act this year as well.

The 25th British Hairdressing Awards presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional were announced on Monday, November 23, 2009 at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, a JW Marriott Hotel in London’s Park Lane. The event was attended by over 1750 guests and compered by Dermot O’Leary while London Community Gospel Choir entertained the guests.

The British Hairdressing Awards were launched in 1985 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 that include nine regional and six specialist categories. 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.

Akin Konizi who has won the biggest award twice has received lot of appreciation for his efforts as there are only 15 hairdressers who have been awarded this coveted title during the 25 year history of British Hairdressing Awards.

The stylists who have won the British Hairdresser of the Year award so far 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.

British hairdressing is renowned throughout the world for its creativity and innovation and The British Hairdressing Awards has significantly raised the profile of British hairdressing both in the UK and overseas with winners of each category enjoying an increased media profile. The biggest award of the night – British Hairdresser of the Year – is recognized throughout the world, with the winner, overnight, becoming the ambassador for British hairdressing, appearing on television, radio and in the national and consumer press.

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.

British Hairdressing Awards 2009 winners list

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

Pictures from British Hairdressing Awards 2009

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For more information about British Hairdressing Awards 2009, visit www.britishhairdressingawards.co.uk

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