Culture and Community Award of the Year

Open to independent professional brands, organisations, associations or platforms actively engaged within the professional hair industry. This category is for those creating strong industry connection through community-led initiatives, education, collaboration, events or ongoing professional support.

Winning this award positions your business as one helping shape stronger connection within the professional hair industry, reinforcing trust, loyalty and long-term community impact. It provides a powerful platform to strengthen audience engagement, grow industry visibility and highlight the value of the culture and community you have built around your brand. Winners will also be invited to join the judging panel for The Indies - Salon & Stylist Awards UK.

• A written submission Evidence of audience connection, participation, collaboration or professional engagement.

• Supporting materials such as events, platforms or content.

• Supporting materials including events, platforms, campaigns, education or community-focused activity relevant to the eligibility period. Past and future direction and plans for continued growth or community impact may also be included.

How This Category Will Be Judged

Entries will first be reviewed based on the written submission, supporting evidence and overall impact within the professional hair community. Judges will consider engagement, inclusivity, originality, industry connection and the way the brand, business or individual has built meaningful relationships within the salon and stylist community.

Judges will also consider the long-term impact of the community created, including education, support, events, online engagement, collaborations or initiatives that genuinely bring professionals together and create a sense of belonging 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. Businesses without active engagement within the professional hair industry 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 brand, business or individual has had within the professional hair community. Judges are looking for genuine connection, engagement and initiatives that bring people together, support professionals and create a real sense of community within the industry.

Supporting campaigns, events, collaborations, educational activity, social engagement, testimonials and examples of community 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.