The Collective Pride award winners were celebrated in a ceremony, supported by the best of British hairdressing, to salute the unsung heroes of the hair, beauty and barbering industry.
The sold-out event saw sponsors, press, industry VIP’s and the Collective Pride Heroes join together for a very prestigious ceremony. In keeping with the origin of the founding charity, The Lions Barber Collective, the event took place at the exquisite Barber Surgeons’ Hall in the City of London. Guests began their evening with a drinks reception before heading into the Grand Hall to be welcomed by the Founder of the Lions Barber Collective, Tom Chapman. “This is our second Collective Pride Awards at the Barber Surgeons’ Hall. We wanted to recognise and celebrate those that go above and beyond to look after others and their communities,” he said.
The Master of The Barbers’ Company, Dr Mary Heber, spoke about the history of the hall which dates back to 1440, and gave a fascinating insight into the history of barbers and surgeons. The Barber Surgeons’ Hall proved the perfect setting to honour the great and the good of British Hairdressing. Guests then enjoyed a formal dinner whilst listening to pianist Maddie Colman, before being greeted by the host for the night, presenter and broadcaster Torie Campbell. “All the people being awarded tonight are nothing short of real heroes. We are all here to celebrate you tonight,” she said.
The night itself of course was all about the Awards. Launched by mental wellbeing and suicide prevention charity The Lions Barber Collective, The Collective Pride Awards recognise the unsung heroes in the professional hair, beauty and barbering arena, and acknowledged teams or individuals who have helped and supported people struggling with mental health or emotional wellbeing. The Collective Pride heroes are those who have not only delivered exceptional hair and beauty services day in, day out – but have gone the extra mile to help others in a time of need, genuinely making a difference to someone’s life.
Announced on the night, the Sam Wall Unsung Hero Award was presented to Matthew Elliot. Tom Chapman, founder of The Lions Barber Collective said of the Sam Wall Unsung Hero Award: “After losing my friend and award-winning barber, Sam Wall, to suicide in 2020, I wanted to create something to keep his name alive – celebrating those who really look after their clients and the communities they sit within, as well as those who go above and beyond to make a difference to the industry. I am so proud of our winners and the phenomenal work they have been doing within the industry. They are the reason the Collective Pride Awards were born.”
The 2023 Collective Pride Award winners are:
BEYOND BUSINESS AWARD
Sponsored by Phorest
OUR HERO: Captain Fawcett
MORE THAN… AWARD
Sponsored by Andis
OUR HERO: Matthew Elliot
AGAINST THE ODDS AWARD
Sponsored by Denman
OUR HERO: Courtney Griffiths
MY SAVIOUR AWARD
Sponsored by STMNT
OUR HERO: Sarah Hashim
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sponsored by Lions Barber Collective
OUR HERO: Dan Burnett
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD
Sponsored by Lions Barber Collective
OUR HERO: Jack Maude, Milton Keynes College
EXCEPTIONAL COLLEGE AWARD
Sponsored by VTCT
OUR HERO: South Devon College
THE SAM WALL UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Sponsored by American Crew
This award – the jewel in the crown of the CPAs – is in memory of the ever-missed Sam Wall.
OUR HERO: Matthew Elliot
The Collective Pride Awards would not be possible without its incredible sponsors and media partners, HJ, Professional Beauty and Modern Barber.