Champion of Change Award of the Year

Open to independent professionals, brands or businesses actively working within the professional hair industry. This category is for those demonstrating measurable impact through campaigns, initiatives, education, advocacy or industry-led change during the eligibility period.

Winning this award positions you among the individuals and businesses helping shape the future of the professional hair industry, reinforcing credibility, influence and long-term industry impact. It provides a powerful platform to amplify your message, strengthen visibility and highlight the value of the work driving meaningful change across the professional community. Winners will also be invited to join the judging panel for The Indies - Salon & Stylist Awards UK.

• A written submission outlining the change, initiative or impact created within the industry.

• Evidence of measurable outcomes, professional engagement or wider industry influence.

• Supporting materials including campaigns, partnerships, education, press coverage or activity. Future direction and plans for continued impact or industry progression may also be included.

• This category can show the long term history of change.

How This Category Will Be Judged

Entries will first be reviewed based on the written submission, supporting evidence and overall industry impact. Judges will consider the entrant’s contribution towards positive change within the professional hair industry, including areas such as inclusivity, representation, education, accessibility, sustainability, community impact or industry progression.

Judges will also consider long-term impact, authenticity and the way the entrant has genuinely supported professionals and helped move conversations and standards forward within the industry.

To keep the process fair and independent, entries may be reviewed across multiple judging stages by different members of the judging panel.

This category is not open to conglomerate-owned or publicly listed companies. Venture-backed businesses are permitted, provided they operate independently within the professional market. Entries without clear evidence of measurable industry impact or meaningful professional engagement will not be considered.

To protect the integrity of the awards, all judges are required to declare any professional, commercial or personal relationships with entrants prior to scoring. Any judge with a declared conflict of interest will not be permitted to review, discuss or score the relevant entry or category.

Entry Recommendations

Strong entries should clearly demonstrate the impact the individual, brand or organisation has made within the professional hair industry. Judges are looking for genuine action, meaningful contribution and work that has helped create positive change, support or progression within the industry and wider community.

Supporting campaigns, initiatives, partnerships, educational work, testimonials and examples of real industry impact are strongly encouraged.

Entry Deadline

Final entry deadline for this category is 6 September 2026.

Shortlisted entrants may be contacted directly regarding additional judging stages or further supporting information where applicable.