Despite a challenging year for the hairdressing industry, Rick Roberts from Beverley has risen to the heights of being one of the most influential creative forces in the UK as they are named a finalist in HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2020, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.
Rick, from Rick Roberts Hair, impressed more than 80 hair industry judges to be named one of just 7 stylists shortlisted for the Afro Hairdresser of the Year category, which welcomed entries from across the whole of the UK.
Rick has also been named one of just 6 stylists to be shortlisted for the North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year category – which welcomed entries from Cleveland, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, Northumberland, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and Tyne & Wear.
HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards promotes professionalism, innovation and excellence while recognising those individuals and teams who work tirelessly to raise the profile of the hairdressing industry and drive the sector forward through outstanding talent and creativity.
To allow for the disruption of lockdown, this year stylists could choose to submit four hair images made up of pre-existing work to create a collection.
Rick’s creative hairstyling and exceptional skill ensured his photographic work stood out from the rest. Now, Rick will submit another two images of his work in the hope of catching the judges’ imagination and hearts further with their expanded trend-led collection. This artistic hairdressing will put Rick in the running to be named Afro Hairdresser of the Year and North Eastern Hairdresser of the year at a ceremony on 30th November – the most anticipated night in the hairdressing calendar.
Delighted with his achievement, Rick said:
“Hairdressers are part of a wonderful community that has pulled together and supported one another in a quite exceptional way. These awards prove that we are strong and resilient and that our creativity and spirit cannot be dampened. I’m thrilled to be a finalist and feel very proud of what I have been able to achieve this year.”
Commenting on the announcement, Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards said;
“To be named as a finalist in the Afro Hairdresser of the Year category is one of the most sought after accolades in hairdressing. To achieve this in 2020 highlights just how extraordinary Rick is. His images demonstrated fantastic skill and vision for Afro hair and rightly gives them the acknowledgement as one of the UK’s best hairdressers.”
“Sponsoring HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards is an enormous privilege, and we at Schwarzkopf Professional are delighted that we can partner with Hairdressers Journal International (HJ) in supporting and recognising the very best hairdressing talent across the UK.
“The hairdressing industry is one of endless enthusiasm and creativity, reflected in these awards. All finalists should feel incredibly proud and we extend our biggest congratulations to all and the best of luck for the awards ceremony,” says Julian Crane, Schwarzkopf Professional General Manager, UK and Ireland.
