HOB Wins a Hat Trick at the British Hairdressing Awards

The HOB Creative Team and Jake Unger dominated HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, as they clinched three awards at the star-studded event in central London on Monday night. Jake, who is Head of Education at HOB Academy, firstly took home the London Hairdresser of the Year title with his stunning Rouge collection, as well the Trend Image Award. This is the first time Jake has won the award, after being a finalist in the highly-sought-after London Hairdresser of the Year category numerous times.

Following this, the HOB Creative Team were named Artistic Team of the Year for their beautiful Neo Noir collection, which showcased the team’s world-renowned cutting, colouring and styling Skills. The HOB Creative Team triumphed over competition from five other finalists to win the Artistic Team title. 

In doing so, they impressed a 100-plus-strong judging panel with a photographic collection of eight images showcasing the breadth of their hairdressing expertise and credentials demonstrating their artistic prowess. The anonymised images and dossier are judged over two stages, and strict guidelines must be followed to ensure authenticity. 

Speaking shortly after their win, International Creative Director Akin Konizi, said “Team, goes beyond the business aspect of what we do—it’s about growing together and supporting one another. Jake, you started as an apprentice 20 years ago, and tonight’s wins are the recognition the team deserves. For me, it’s not just about leading a team; it’s about being led by them and leading them back”.

Jake said “I feel almost speechless, it has taken three goes to get this trophy and I’m so proud to be London Hairdresser of the Year! It felt like waiting for a bus and suddenly three incredible awards came along in one night. It’s almost too good to be true!”

“It was an incredibly successful night for HOB as they celebrated winning Artistic Team of the Year for the fourth time (2008, 2009, 2011 and 2024). Only two other groups have achieved this level of success in this category in 40 years,” Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards reflected. “It is a privilege to honour the HOB Creative Team with this Title.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious event, which recognises the most exciting creative talents in UK hairdressing. Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on Monday 25th November, which is the biggest awards event in British hairdressing.  The event drew over 1,400 guests to celebrate the winners of 19 awards: ten regional categories and nine specialist awards, including the British Hairdresser of the Year.

Jayne added: “The prestige of securing these titles cannot be overstated. Jake had quite the night! He is such a hard-working, creative hairdresser. To win just one of these awards deserves to be celebrated, but three in one night is phenomenal and very rare. Four decades since inception, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards remain the most sought-after industry accolade. It is a privilege to honour Jake and the HOB Creative Team with these titles.”