The best businesses and individuals in the barbering industry were recognised at the Modern Barber Awards 2024 at Telford International Centre on Sunday, 23rd June.

The Modern Barber Awards recognised outstanding customer service, treatment delivery and innovation in this hugely dynamic sector.

Nearly 300 leading barber industry figures gathered in London to celebrate the finalists and winners after a rigorous, independent judging process undertaken by industry experts. Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Group hosted the ceremony alongside Sian Jones, Editor of Modern Barber magazine who said, “Events such as this are vital to the barbering community so that we can celebrate its growth and recognise the innovation and skills of our finalists. Every year the entries continue to set new standards of creativity and excellence which just goes to show that barbering continues to be an industry on the rise.”

Huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners who partied with guests at the post-awards party until the early hours.

Best All Round Barber

Who can enter?

This category celebrates day-to-day brilliance from the shop floor. Any barber with a smartphone or camera and a will to win can enter their work.

Criteria:

Entries should include variety, technical excellence and skills on show. Please share four different styles to represent your breadth of skill. 

Best Business Leader

Who can enter?

Leadership qualities can manifest in the leaders of businesses both large and small. This category will celebrate the barbers with vision, purpose, commitment, tenacity and commercial strength. Look back over the past 18 months and all you have achieved since and answer the questions to give the Judges the best chance to see how you have built a strong business.

Criteria:

You must have been trading for at least two full years to qualify for this category. If you have more than one shop then please answer question 3 representing the whole business ie all shops.

Best Client Experience

Who can enter?

It takes dedication and passion to create the very best client experience and we want to hear from the shops that make every customer feel like a King.

Criteria:

If you have more than one barbershop, please focus on just one for the purposes of this entry.

Community Hero

Who can enter?

Proving that barbershops truly are pillars of the community, this award recognises the barbers that go above and beyond to support their clients and the wider community. Whether it’s through charity fundraisers, physical or mental wellbeing support groups or events that help improve the lives of locals, the community hero award celebrates those that do more. This is your opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact your barbershop has had on your community. Please include details of what your team has achieved over the past 18 months and provide clear evidence for our judges.

Criteria:

Please provide answers on behalf of the whole team. If you have a number of shops please pick just one to represent your business in the entry.

Best Educator

Who can enter?

It all starts here! This category is about highlighting the fantastic education of an Academy, individual or shop that best delivers superior standard skills into the hands of new and experienced barbers. We want to hear about the qualifications, methods and success rates that are helping to protect our industry standards.

Criteria:

This category is open to shops with a robust training policy, training academies and freelance educators.

Best Newcomer

Who can enter?

There’s some fantastic budding talent out there and our Judges want to hear about the learner that is on track for greatness and on fire for their industry. We want to hear about the individual that goes above and beyond in dedication, passion and attention-to-detail and is clearly blazing a trail all the way to the top.

Criteria:

This entry should be completed by the newcomer’s direct Manager. Newly qualified (under a year) barbers are also accepted.

Best Photographic Image

Who can enter?

We are looking for the image that best captures the essence of the current industry. It needs to be an image that demonstrates technical barbering excellence but also inspires the Judges.  Please note that you can only enter this category once.

Criteria:

Make sure to upload your image in high resolution.

Best Shop Interior

Who can enter?

Handsome, fit-for-purpose, interesting and enjoyable. A category that celebrates the best in high impact barbershop interiors that customers don’t want to leave.

Criteria:

If you have more than one barbershop, please focus your entry on just one location. No mix and match!

Best Social Barber

Who can enter?

Having thousands of followers on social media is one thing, but if you’ve turned your online presence into a thriving business, this is the category for you.

Criteria:

This category is open to individuals and shops that have exponentially increased their business growth through social media.

Best Team

Who can enter?

Many barbershops refer to themselves as a ‘barber family’. This category showcases the unbreakable bonds and the unified strength that together make a successful business that supports and delights a community and clientele. This is your chance to demonstrate team impact and value, so reflect on everything your team has achieved over the past 18 months and provide clear evidence for our Judges.

Criteria:

Please provide answers on behalf of the whole team. If you have a number of shops please pick just one to represent your business in the entry.