Beverley husband and wife hairdressing team blown away by winning one of hairdressing’s most coveted awards for the third time

Rick and Zoe Roberts from Beverley, have cause for celebration after claiming their third title of North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2024 sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. This means that Rick and Zoe will be named amongst the hairdressing greats in the Hall of Fame.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious event, which recognises the most exciting creative talents in UK hairdressing. Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on Monday 25th November, the biggest awards event in British hairdressing drew over 1,400 guests to celebrate the winners of 19 awards: ten regional categories and nine specialist awards, including the British Hairdresser of the Year title*. There was a moment of collective reflection remembering the late Trevor Sorbie MBE, the first British hairdresser to lift the British Hairdresser of the Year trophy 40 years ago.

Husband and wife team Rick and Zoe beat competition from five other finalists to win the North Eastern title, having wowed a 100-plus-strong judging panel with a photographic collection showcasing the breadth of their hairdressing expertise; images are judged anonymously over two stages and must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure authenticity.

Speaking shortly after their win, Rick said: “It’s actually crazy to think that Rylan Clarke presented us with our first award, and now he’s just handed us our sixth and we’re in the Hall of Fame! What an incredible journey! I love being here, and I love working on the imagery. Thank you to the art team—it’s an absolute honour to stand up here. To my team and my parents, thank you so much. And to Mason and Xander—nothing is impossible. We’ve created a story for you to tell your kids one day. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, especially Mason and Xander. Never let your neurodivergent tendencies hold you back—that’s my message to everyone out there.”

“The prestige of securing this title cannot be overstated. To win three times and secure a place amongst the very few who achieve Hall of Fame status is a rare thing. They should be incredibly proud of their beautiful work,” said Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards. “Four decades since inception, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards remain the most sought-after industry accolade. It is a privilege to honour Rick and Zoe with this title.”

Schwarzkopf Professional has been the sole sponsor of the event since its launch in 1984. Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland, said: “Forty years on, the British hairdressing industry remains as influential and creative as ever, with artists that continue to push boundaries and raise the bar. Schwarzkopf Professional is privileged to have supported this ground breaking event for the last four decades and will continue to celebrate the exceptional talent this industry has to offer. Huge congratulations, not only to this evening’s winners but to everyone who has contributed to the powerhouse that is Great British hairdressing.”

The evening, hosted by presenter and one-time hairdresser Rylan Clark, was a nostalgic journey, captivating attendees with a montage of iconic moments that showcased four decades of the awards and the incredible evolution of the British hairdressing industry. Adding to the magic, entertainment by Pixie Lott had the crowd on their feet, transforming the ruby celebration into an unforgettable party - a fitting finale to 40 extraordinary years of the British Hairdressing Awards!