Thousands of hairdressers descended on The Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s affluent Park Lane last night with one goal in mind – to discover who would be crowned the best hairdressers of this year.

As the 29th British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, they have built up a name to be reckoned with, seeing thousands of hairdressers battle it out for the coveted titles.

Each year hairdressers from all over the UK dedicate months of hard work preparing their entries There were 15 categories to choose from made up of nine regional categories covering all areas of the UK, six specialist categories and of course the prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year.

After waiting with baited breath, it was Akin Konizi who took home the title of 2013 British Hairdresser of the Year – something he’s done three times previously. It did little to mellow his mood though as he said: “I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out, I was overwhelmed and delighted – winning the title is a dream come true.”

Compered by leading media personality David Walliams with entertainment provided by chart topping Stooshe, guests from the world of hairdressing, fashion and media mingled at the prestigious event.

The evening saw three new members welcomed into the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame as Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year, Kevin Kahan from Bangor, Scottish Hairdresser of the Year, Kay McIntyre from Dundee and Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year, Ken Picton from Cardiff were recognised for winning their respective categories three times.

After the awards ceremony, celebrations continued with attendees dancing the night away in the Ballroom, while those needing a hairy fix could head to the Schwarzkopf Professional OSIS Styling Pod.

While there was lots of entertainment for the guests, there could be few who enjoyed it more than the winners. Well done to you all…

HJ’s British Hairdresser of the Year 2013 – Akin Konizi, HOB salons

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year – Tomomi Naito, Eton Crop, London

Men’s Hairdresser of the Year – Kevin Luchmun, Toni&Guy, Covent Garden, London

Afro Hairdresser of the Year – Charlotte Mensah, Hair Lounge, London

Artistic Team of the Year – Mark Leeson Hair, Body and Mind, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Newcomer of the Year – Sophia Hilton, Brooks & Brooks, Holborn, London

Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year – Sharon Peake and Adam Bryant, Ethos Hairdressing, Manchester

London Hairdresser of the Year – Sean Dawson, HOB Salons, Camden

Southern Hairdresser of the Year – Seung-Ki Baek, Rush Hair, Epsom, Surrey

Eastern Hairdresser of the Year – Angelo Vallillo, Zullo & Holland, Nottingham

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year – James Whyte, Soul Hair, Chester, Cheshire

North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year – Michelle Rooney, Hooker & Young, Wynyard, Billingham

North Western Hairdresser of the Year – Adam Bryant, Ethos Hairdressing, Manchester

Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year – Rachelle Simmonds and Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Ken Picton Salon, Cardiff

Scottish Hairdresser of the Year – Brian Gallagher, Gallagher Horner Hair, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow

Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year – Sharon Dow, Kevin Kahan, Bangor