These are the students of the year – winners crowned at salon international

The Hair and Barber Council Student of the Year competition was held at Salon International this week with  the finalists being judged in front of a packed crowd at the show's competition area. Six finalists for Level 2 and six finalists for Level 3 recreated their looks live in the Competition Area, in front of judges – Chancellor of Fellowship for British Hairdressing Ashleigh Hodges, Yesmin O’Brien from seanhanna and Junior Council member Niall McNulty. The competitors had 35 minutes to recreate the look they entered earlier this year. Winners had the chance to spend a day with Cos Sakkas from TONI&GUY, a day with Andrew Barton from Headmasters and to appear in the next issue of the Hair and Barber magazine. After the looks were shown to the judges the winners were announced on the HJ Stage at Salon International. Level 2 Winner: Leah Knapman, Cheshire College North and West Finalists: Bethany Farrel, North Lindsey College Zac Gabrel, Central Hair London Elisa Sayer, City College Norwich Radost Staykova, Edinburgh College Rachel Thomson, Edinburgh College Samantha Wheeler, Metropolis Hairdressing, Kingston-upon-Thames Level 3 Winner: Jessica Robinson, Central Hair London Finalists: Calista Barnett, Muse Creative Hair, Broadway Megan Beardsley, Positive Approach Academy Tayla Fawcett, Positive Approach Academy India Fleming, West Suffolk College Lucy Ellen Thompson, Mack Hairdressing, Chelmsford Hair and Barber Council CEO and registrar, Keith Conniford, said: “We were delighted with the level of entries we received this year and was amazed by the quality of hairdressing by the students taking part. It’s important for us to support future stylists of the industry and ensure they are aware of the importance of State Registration for hairdressers and barbers to keep the industry professional and raise the perception of the industry.”