MOST WANTED 2025

WINNERS

The Most Wanted award for 
COLLABORATION
Sponsored by Electric 

Samantha Cusick, Samantha Cusick London and Stā Studios 

The Good Hair Smoothie isn’t just a cute drink. It’s a collagen-packed wonder that tastes great and works hard to support hair growth, making it the perfect way to support conversations around hair loss and thinning in the salon. Wild Nutrition brought the clinical-level expertise; Samantha brought the real-life experience from the chair. Together they’ve made something intentional and inclusive, and it certainly made our judges’ mouths water… 

Other finalists in this category: Johanna Cree Brown, Trevor Sorbie; Matt Surplice, Spring Is In The Hair; Ice Sutton-Jones, bebop; Anne Veck, Anne Veck

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 The Most Wanted award for
COMMUNITY
Sponsored by Wella Professionals 

Craig Henderson, Craig’s Barbershop 

Craig doesn’t just cut hair; he cuts through barriers in Bolton. Partnering with local NHS teams, schools and support workers, and using quiet appointments, social stories, choice-led interaction and infinite patience, he helps people who experience heightened anxiety, sensory challenges and communication barriers, especially autistic children, teenagers and adults who may have been excluded from other salons. 

Other finalists in this category: Anna Cofone, Hair & Care; Casey Coleman, CHAIR Salons; Lara Johnson, Lara Johnson Lifestyle; Darren Cunningham & George Waterfield, The Secret Garden

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 The Most Wanted award for
CREATIVITY
Sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel 

Tariq Howes, Avenue Barbers 

Born to a Welsh mother and a father of Somali, Egyptian and Bajan descent, Tariq brings a personal multicultural lens to his craft. He’s a sculptor with Afro hair, letting the density and direction of curls  dictate the shape, he’s fascinated by the way hair can communicate identity – loudly, subtly or defiantly. “Afro hair has always been my muse,” he says. “It bends. It expands. It holds shape. It’s history, pride and the future – all on one crown.” 

Other finalists in this category: Adriano D’Astolto, Radio London; Sam Elliot, TONI&GUY; Danilo Giangreco, Danilo Giangreco London; Marlon Hawkins, Brooks & Brooks

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The Most Wanted award for
EDUCATION
Sponsored by Wella Professionals

Rachael Lomax, Copper Queen Education  

Blonde specialists are ten a penny – but copper? That fiery hue belongs to the one and only Copper Queen, aka Rachael Lomax. Not only does her award-winning salon ONLY do copper looks, Rachael’s smashing the sector with courses that help new disciples master the nuances of copper tones, whether that’s a daring balayage or a unique blend. “Embracing the role of the Copper Queen has been a defining moment in my career,” she says.  

Other finalists in this category: Samantha Cusick, Samantha Cusick London and The Beauty Business Platform; Davide Spinelli, Davide Spinelli Education; Darrel Starkey, Taylors Hair Studio; Melissa Timperley, Melissa Timperley Salons

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 The Most Wanted award for
ENGAGEMENT
Sponsored by Redken 

Sarah-Louise Keane, HOST Manchester 

“I didn’t go looking for engagement. Engagement found me.” Why? Because scalp bleaching expert Sarah posts “relentlessly” about what it takes to get this tricky technique right – and over the years that has evolved from application techniques to include more advanced corrective work, including her own. That level of honesty has absolutely worked. A video she posted about purple shampoo got 2.1m views – unheard of in the education sphere. 

Other finalists in this category: Casey Coleman, CHAIR Salons; Nancy Stripe, Stripe Colour Studio; Chlöe Swift; Rachel Valentine

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 The Most Wanted award for
EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Kérastase 

Buller and Rice 

Hormonal haircare and textured hair services? For Buller and Rice, offering specialist appointments to individual clients ensures their commitment to inclusivity is not just a value but a lived experience – whoever you are, however you identify, you’re welcome. “Heartfelt hospitality” is how it’s described, and it comes alongside thoughtful touches such as premium drinks, reclining  massage chairs, digital consultations and ethical products. It’s dog-friendly too. Woof to that! 

Other finalists in this category: bebop; CHAIR Salons; Stā Studios; STIL

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 The Most Wanted award for
IMAGE
Sponsored by Moroccanoil 

Casey Coleman, CHAIR Salons 

Casey’s show-stopping tyle is XXL for all the right reasons – it’s got all the length, all the contrast, all the high drama. No wonder it stopped the judges in their tracks. The perfect example from Casey of the power of a single image. 

Other finalists in this category: Marlon Hawkins, Brooks & Brooks; Tariq Howes, Avenue Barbers; Danny Malone, Michelle International; Elle Page, TONI&GUY

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 The Most Wanted award for
 LEADERSHIP
Sponsored by Phorest

Samantha Cusick, Samantha Cusick London and Stā Studios 

When the Autumn 2024 Budget landed, Samantha had two options: wait and hope for the best; or lead through it. She chose to lead. Introducing a more structured way of working helped cut laundry and energy costs. Upskilling juniors saved £130k per year. A new flexible team structure reduced fixed payroll pressure while attracting brilliant talent. “The decisions I made weren’t easy, but they worked,” she says.  

Other finalists in this category: Colin McAndrew, Medusa; Billy Ryan, Tribe Salons; Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY; Pont Smith, bebop

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The Most Wanted award for
NEW SPACE
Sponsored by HairCon

Williams & Hirst 

Billed as “not a salon but a new model for hair”, this 3,200sq ft solo space celebrates independence. Boasting 18 workstations, six wash stations, a private styling area and a VIP dressing room, the floorplan is cleverly segregated into invented departments highlighting the skill and dedication of people who work for themselves (Department of Dye, Drinks Department, etc) plus a Supply Store  stocked with global brands that transforms the retail experience. 

Other finalists in this category: CHAIR Salons; @66 Hair and Lifestyle; Host Manchester; The Watt

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 The Most Wanted award for
PURPOSE
Sponsored by Activator 

Anna Cofone, Hair & Care 

Anna Cofone’s father may have lost his sight, but he took great pride in grooming and presentation – it helped him feel seen. Witnessing the positive impact of self-care on his mental wellbeing inspired Anna to set up Hair & Care for the sight loss community, providing hair styling and education and even enabling them to be part of Fashion Week. She’s also trained more than 50 volunteer hairstylists in inclusive, accessible techniques. 

Other finalists in this category: Errol Douglas MBE, Errol Douglas London; Jo Haywood, Luke Ormsby; Deborah Maguire & Katie Hemming, Love Hair; Lee Nash-Jones & Rob White, Nashwhite

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The Most Wanted award for
SESSION
Sponsored by BaByliss PRO

Lauren Bell

Lauren’s natural talent in hairstyling has allowed her to build an extensive portfolio and clientele, working with all hair types and capable of achieving any desired look for every job she takes on. “Building relationships with muses, artists, and brands to bring their vision to life is the most fulfilling part of my job,” she says. Her work’s been published in top-tier publications including British Vogue, Gay Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Hunger and she gets booked for big brand campaigns like Juicy Couture, Sephora, Nike and ASOS.  

Other finalists in this category: Anna Cofone; Ali Pirzadeh; Luke Pluckrose; Adam Reed

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The Most Wanted award for
INFLUENCE
Sponsored by Olaplex

Ali Pirzadeh 

Ali takes this prestigious title, thanks to his incredible impact on the demanding world of session. Here, he styles, twists and sculpts hair into imaginative shapes that allow brands such as Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuittaon, Acne Studios and Nina Ricci to narrate their stories. He is always innovatin, always working to make the seemingly impossible, possible. No wonder he’s listed in The Business of Fashion’s BoF 500, an index of the most influential people shaping the global fashion industry.

Other finalists in this category: Jordanna Cobella, Cobella and GRID Studios; Efi Davies, TONI&GUY; Errol Douglas MBE, Errol Douglas London; Lisa Farrall, WIG LONDON; Gary Gill; Syd Hayes, Q Cut; Nick Irwin, Nick Irwin Hair; Lesley Jennison, Billi Currie

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The Most Wanted award for
LEGEND

Grace Dalgleish, Colour Expert 2022, 2023, 2024 

She’s the colourist who experiments with sponges and blenders to create interesting textures that prove the creative process can be just as beautiful as the end result. An educator who’s taught courses across Asia and Europe, and whose work has appeared in magazines such as Rankin, 10 Magazine and Creative HEAD (natch!)… A rule-breaker who likes to push herself and anyone around her into unknown territory. A collaborator who loves to connect with like-minded people, and who’s DMs are always open if you want to chat… And tonight, Grace Dalgleish becomes a Most Wanted Legend, as a three-times winner of the Most Wanted Colour Expert award. Grace, we salute you! 

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