Gianni Scumaci is a globally renowned hair artist, visionary, and educator. With a rich heritage in hairdressing, he is celebrated for his innovative techniques and creative approach to styling. His artistic vision and attention to detail have made him a sought-after stylist, known for creating bespoke looks that enhance each individual’s natural beauty.

In addition to his work behind the chair, Gianni is passionate about educating the next generation of hairstylists. He conducts workshops and seminars, sharing his expertise and inspiring others to elevate their craft. His commitment to mentoring and empowering fellow professionals has solidified his role as a leader in the hairdressing community.

Gianni's continues to push creative boundaries, striving to innovate and inspire within the ever-evolving world of hairdressing.

With a passion for precision and creativity, Dale Ted Watkins is a respected educator and influencer in the barbering community. He has spent over 30 years pushing forward the boundaries of men’s hairdressing in the UK. Since training and working for Vidal Sassoon,  Dale has worked all over the World from Paris to Toronto, Barcelona to Milan. Cutting the hair of his celebrity clients, styling on fashion campaigns, music videos, magazine shoots and as an educator with Dale's training company CITYBOY. 

Stephanie Stevenson is a highly influential figure in the hair industry, boasting over 30 years of experience. As the founder and CEO of Marie Claire Jetstyle and the founder of HNB Salon and Spa, she has established herself as a trendsetting creative visionary and a sought-after hairstylist across Europe.

Stephanie's exceptional talent and keen business acumen have propelled her to global recognition, allowing her to share her extensive knowledge in both retail and the beauty sector. Known for her innovative approach, she continues to inspire and lead within the industry, making a significant impact on the future of hair and beauty services.

Sally is an award-winning, published Bridal Hair and Make-up Artist based in Bournemouth, on the stunning South Coast of England. With over 17 years of dedicated experience in the wedding industry, she has honed her skills and developed a deep passion for bridal artistry.

Sally is now committed to using her expertise to educate the next generation of Bridal Hairstylists. She is honoured to serve as a judge for the prestigious WELOVE Hair Pro Awards in the 'Bridal Hair Pro of the Year' category. Recognising the significance of awards chosen by industry professionals, she believes these new accolades are particularly meaningful.

As a stylist herself, Sally views Bridal Hair as a unique art form that every hairdresser should embrace. She eagerly anticipates celebrating the creativity within the industry and connecting with the WELOVE community, her hairdressing 'family.' Sally looks forward to announcing the deserving winner on July 6th.scription goes here

Nova Fanner is an influential educator and stylist, renowned for her commitment to excellence and innovation. She was one of the first professionals to earn the prestigious 360° Master Hair Pro CCH badge, recognising her dedication to education and her craft within the Purple Hearts Club. With 24 years of experience in hairdressing, Nova combines her technical expertise with a passion for mentoring, empowering fellow professionals to reach their full potential.

In 2020, she opened NovaLux Hairdressing in Poole, Dorset, where her vision for a high-quality salon experience comes to life. Her salon was awarded the Daily Echo's Hairdresser of the Year in 2021, highlighting her impact in the industry. Recently, Nova has taken on the role of WELOVE Ambassador, further solidifying her position as a leader and inspiration in the hairdressing community.

Mel Tudor is the owner of En Route Hair, an award-winning salon where creativity and sustainability go hand in hand. As a ten-time finalist at the British Hairdressing Awards, Mel has established herself as a leading figure in the hair industry. She is also a sustainability coach with @ertosustainability and serves as a UK Ambassador for the WELOVE Purple Hearts Club, promoting ongoing education and professional development within the sector. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for eco-friendly practices, Mel continues to inspire both her clients and fellow professionals through her innovative approach to hairdressing. For more information, visit www.enroute.uk.com.

Tracey Ann Smith is a multi-award-winning hairdresser and a leading figure in the UK hairdressing industry. Crowned Fellow with Honors by The Fellowship of British Hairdressing, she has made history as the first woman to win the title of British Men’s Hairdresser of the Year. Tracey is also a two-time recipient of the Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year award, celebrated for her innovative work and dedication to education. As the Global Ambassador for ASP, she has transformed the brand’s creative direction while mentoring the Colour Rebel youth team to nurture the next generation of talent. With a successful salon, French & Ivi, in Belper, and a prominent presence at global fashion weeks, Tracey continues to inspire and push creative boundaries in the industry.

Trained as an apprentice at the iconic Vidal Sassoon, Mark Rayment brings a wealth of experience to the judging panel. He went on to become Head of School for Hairdressing and Barbering before taking on the role of Development Manager for Barbering at an awarding body. Mark now runs independent barbering, team building, and management training courses, supporting barbers and business owners to grow and succeed. His strong background is in both the creative and technical sides of the industry.

Nicola Hamm is a passionate hairstylist, with a love for education. With past experience on an art team for a top colour brand, refining her expertise, Nicola's work has been published both independently and through creative collaborations. Specialising in styling and intricate braiding, she loves pushing artistic boundaries while sharing her expertise through education!

Luke Robert is a highly regarded hairdresser and educator, celebrated for his precision cutting skills and his unique ability to create "prescriptive haircuts" tailored to each individual client. As the owner of his own salon since the age of 21, Luke grounds his teaching in practical, up-to-date salon experience, making his insights invaluable to aspiring hair professionals. His educational focus centres on empowering hairdressers to motivate their teams, retain clients, and increase sales, ensuring they thrive in a competitive industry. With experience working alongside renowned companies such as Saco Hair, Kao Corporation, and L'OREAL Professional, Luke has built a solid reputation for excellence.

Phil Jarman’s 38-year journey in barbering began in the Scottish shipbuilding town of Port Glasgow, where he completed his apprenticeship at just 18. His career has since taken him around the globe, allowing him to live and work in remarkable locations such as Bermuda and California. After successfully running hairdressing businesses in West Sussex, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, Phil now resides in Sandbanks, Dorset.

As an award-winning stylist, Phil has spent the past decade judging major industry awards, showcasing his commitment to high standards and excellence in barbering. He serves as a Global Educator for Gamma Plus and is a member of the Matakki Education Team, sharing his expertise through the Phil Jarman Academy, which operates both nationally and internationally.

Recently, Phil has displayed his skills on some of the world’s biggest stages, from London to Japan and India, teaching the techniques that have established him as a leader in men’s hairdressing.

David Drew is a salon business expert and accredited Impact Business Performance Coach with 50 years experience in the hairdressing industry. Since qualifying as a coach in 2003, he has dedicated himself to helping hair and barber salon entrepreneurs achieve success for their businesses and teams. With a background as a trained hairdresser and a former owner of an award-winning salon, David understands the complexities of salon life and the challenges of team building and business growth.

His extensive industry experience includes serving as a HABIA Council Member, advising on the first Foundation Degree in Hairdressing, and holding leadership roles such as Chairman of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing and President of Helping Hairdressers in Need (Hair and Beauty Charity). As the Chairman of The Hair & Barber Council, he advocated for mandatory registration in the industry. David’s passion and expertise make him a trusted mentor, empowering salon owners to navigate the modern business landscape with confidence.

Suzanne has been part of the hair industry since the age of 15, starting her career through an intensive 3-year apprenticeship followed by two years as an improver stylist. Her talent for education quickly shone through, and she soon stepped into the role of staff trainer within a busy salon group — igniting a lifelong passion for developing future hair professionals.

Her journey led her into further education, where she worked in colleges and with VTCT as an Internal Quality Assurer. With a deep commitment to raising standards across the industry, Suzanne believes wholeheartedly in the value of education and the need for greater recognition of hairdressing as a skilled profession.

Now, as Education Manager at WELOVE, Suzanne plays a key role in building partnerships with HABIA, VTCT and the Hair & Barber Council, ensuring all WELOVE programmes are aligned with national standards and endorsed for CPD.

Nadine Farquhar is an award-winning freelance colour specialist renowned for her meticulous attention to detail. With a passion for creating stunning hair transformations, she excels in everything from icy platinum to sun-kissed balayage, believing that everyone deserves to have their dream hair. Nadine's expertise lies in customising the perfect colour for her clients, ensuring each look is uniquely tailored to their individual style. A proud member of the WELOVE Purple Hearts Club, she also takes great pride in her blow-drying skills, having won the title of Best Blowdry in Scotland. With 26 years of experience in the industry and a UK Ambassador for Gamma Plus, Nadine continues to inspire and elevate the art of hair colour and styling.

Kelly Relph is a Master Hair Pro and a proud member of the Purple Hearts Club. With a reputation for excellence, Kelly has established her salon as one of the best in the industry. She is passionate about her craft and her dedication to her clients and her artistry continues to inspire those around her. With a focus on fostering creativity and professionalism, Kelly has become a trusted name in the industry, inspiring stylists to push boundaries.

Claire Alker has been immersed in the world of hairdressing since the late '90s, beginning her journey under the mentorship of Rae Palmer during her early vardering training. Claire quickly stood out, earning places on prestigious industry programmes including the Antony Mascolo Inspirational Youth Team and the L'Oréal ID Artist Scholarship.

Over the years, Claire has evolved into a conscious and holistic hair artist, blending her craft with yoga, reiki, art and acupressure. Her passion lies in combining technical excellence with deeper connection, care, and creativity.

Now a proud WELOVE Ambassador, Claire is honoured to bring her unique perspective and experience back to where it all began. Her commitment to collaboration over competition and championing the often-unseen talent in our industry makes her a perfect fit for the Hair Pro Awards judging panel.

With over 17 years of experience spanning luxury retail, spa, and the hair industry, Arif Isikgun is a pioneer in transforming retail into meaningful connections. From Harrods to global brands like Schwarzkopf, he’s empowered professionals through education, storytelling, and emotional intelligence. Arif’s approach continues to empower teams across hair, beauty, and wellness.

Through his consultancy, Ai Beauty, he delivers tailored strategies, retail education, and team development for spas, salons, and retailers worldwide. Whether working with a luxury haircare brand or a five-star spa, his mission stays the same: to shift the perception of retail from a task to a moment of connection.

Cally Borg is a multi-award-winning hairstylist, educator, and business mentor with over 20 years of experience in the hairdressing industry.

She is the proud owner of Cally Hair Salon in Reigate, where she passionately creates stunning hairstyles for her local clients. When she’s not in the salon, you can find Cally styling hair for magazine shoots, industry events, and sharing her knowledge as a mentor to other stylists.

Cally’s accolades include being named Surrey Hair Stylist of the Year 2020, as well as winning multiple awards in 2022, including Best Colour Salon, Stylist of the Year, and Marketing Trailblazer. In 2023, she continued her success by receiving awards for Best Boutique Salon, Customer Experience, and Stylist of the Year at the Salon Awards. Additionally, she co-hosts the Hair Life Podcast, where she shares insights and inspiration from within the industry. Cally is also proud to be part of the PROJECT X Team for the British Fellowship of Hairdressing in 2023, further showcasing her commitment to excellence and innovation in the hairdressing community. You can read more about Cally on her website - www.callyborg.com

Anne Butterly is the founder and CEO of Easydry, a revolutionary brand transforming sustainability in the hair and beauty industry. A passionate advocate for eco-friendly practices, Anne has pioneered disposable, biodegradable towels, helping salons reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining professional standards.