British Hairdresser of the Year Announced at the British Hairdressing Awards
Cos Sakkas, Creative Director and Head of Education of TONI&GUY, claimed the ultimate title of British Hairdresser of the Year* at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2024, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.
Cos is one of only six individuals in the awards’ history to lift this iconic trophy three times or more, with the first ever winner being the late, great Trevor Sorbie MBE.
Anniversary
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on Monday 25th November. The ruby celebration was attended by 1,400 UK and international hairdressers and hosted by celebrity presenter and one-time hairdresser, Rylan Clark, alongside Hairdressers Journal International’s Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr and Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Beauty Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland.
Nineteen Winners
The announcement of Cos Sakkas’ British Hairdresser of the Year win was the culmination of an evening that saw 19 winners in total across 10 regional categories and nine specialist awards, including the ultimate British Hairdresser of the Year title*. Sakkas’ third consecutive win of this top title saw him triumph over seven of the country’s best hairdressers and his fellow nominees*.
To reach this enviable position, Cos was selected as the best-of-the-best, by a 100-plus judging cohort. During this robust process, each nominee’s work, a collection of 8 images showing technique and creative process, is scrutinised by hairdressing peers, influencers, consumer and industry press, opinion formers and previous three-time winners of any British Hairdressing Award category (Hall of Fame). In addition, a detailed, anonymised, hairdressing dossier of achievements and experience is examined.
Third Win
‘My third time, it’s incredible and I just have the longest list of thank-yous to Jayne and Hairdressers Journal and to Schwarzkopf, and to Sasha (Mascolo-Tarbuck) and also to Samantha my wife, my love, my everything,’ – Cos.
Prestige
“The prestige of securing this title for the third time in a row cannot be overstated. Cos is such a deserving winner and a great representative for British hairdressing in all he does,” said Jayne
Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards.
Rare Accolade
“The recognition in the room of his peers spoke to his popularity as an industry figurehead, educationalist, and a really good man. To win this award once is phenomenal but raising this trophy three times or more is rare. In fact, in our 40-year history this has only been achieved by six phenomenal hairdressers! Four decades since inception, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards remain the most sought-after industry accolade. It is a huge privilege to honour Cos with this title.”
TONI&GUY Scooped A Further Five Awards
- North Western Hairdresser of the Year: Jon Wilsdon, TONI&GUY, Deansgate
- International Collection of the Year: Jude McEwen, TONI&GUY, Perth, Australia
- Newcomer of the Year: Annabel Payne, TONI&GUY, Covent Garden
- Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year: Michela Bazzoli and Charley Henery, TONI&GUY Academy
- Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year, Efi Davies: TONI&GUY Academy
Sole Sponsor
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 groundbreaking 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.”
Entertainment
Adding to the night’s magic, entertainment from Pixie Lott had the audience on their feet, turning the ruby celebration into an unforgettable party – a spectacular finale to 40 extraordinary years of the British Hairdressing Awards!
But the final word must stay with a name that goes down as one of the greats in hairdressing annals: Cos Sakkas, three times British Hairdresser of the Year. All Hail indeed.
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