Scratch Stars Awards 2024

It’s been an exciting and challenging six months for finalists in the 12th annual Scratch Stars Awards, who are counting down to Educator Sunday 21 July when winners across this year’s 18 categories will be revealed.

Nail pros, educators, teams and salon owners seized the opportunity to enter the prestigious industry awards back in February, keen to be recognised for their skills and business excellence. In April, five finalists in each category were announced, who progressed to a second and final judging stage.

Forty professionals who demonstrated finesse in artistic and technical areas of nails were required to showcase their talents in May, at a live competition day in London. They completed a practical task and interview session, receiving scores from educators and esteemed nail stylists. For finalists in the remaining 10 categories, their fate has been in the hands of diligent industry judges, whose expertise spans beauty business management, social media, education and more.

These judges have been immersing themselves in mystery shop reports, social media statistics, testimonials and video submissions, scoring on a number of criteria points. At least four judges have masterfully assessed each category: the results of which are being totalled to uncover the winners.

The finalists don’t have long to wait, as they’ll be heading to the infamous Scratch Stars Party in late July to hear the results, joined in celebration by judges and nail sector enthusiasts.

Read on to learn about the industry professionals who are showing their support for the sector, by scoring this year’s categories and offering feedback to finalists...

JUDGING CATEGORIES

• Educator of the Year

• Mobile Nailist of the Year

• Social Media Star of the Year

• Home Nail Salon of the Year

• Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year

• Nail Salon of the Year

• Nail Team of the Year

• The Nail Business Mentor Award

• The Shooting Star Award

• Services to the Nail Industry

MILLIE KENDALL OBE

CEO, British Beauty Council

@milliekendall

CEO of the British Beauty Council, retail maven & brand creator, Millie Kendall, has been instrumental in the success of brands including Shu Uemura, Aveda, Tweezerman and Ruby & Millie. Having worked with leading UK retailers, Millie has been creating and marketing beauty brands for 30 years. She was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to the cosmetic industry, and an OBE in 2022 for services to the hair and beauty industry. Millie was presented with the Scratch Stars Nail Sector Visionary Award in 2022.

ALEX FOX

Global director at Nailympia Competitions & editor-at-large

@alexfoxlife_

A journalist since 1993, Alex worked on the first UK trade nail magazine, Nails Plus, in 1998. Five years later, she co-founded Scratch magazine and went on to launch Scratch Middle East in May 2014, for the UAE market. In August 2021, Alex retired from her role as editor-in-chief at Scratch to focus on and administer Nailympia Competitions. A passionate industry individual, Alex produces content for GlossaryLive and hosts annual education event, Nail Safari.

CLAIRE LEBRUN

Head of Hara Professional

@hara_professional

Claire is head of Hara Professional and has over 30 years’ experience in the nail and beauty industry. She has worked with the Hara brand for over 20 years, and was formerly a make-up artist working on music videos and photo shoots. A qualified beauty therapist, Claire is passionate about the industry and product development.

ELLA FIGGETT

Marketing coordinator

@abtinsurance

Ella runs the ABT Insurance social media platforms and creates brand communications for members. She organises ABT and its team when exhibiting at events across the UK and delivers industry news to ABT members via the company’s social and digital platforms, as well as through the pages ABT’s Beauty & Hairdressing membership magazine.

IAN ARCHBOLD

Salon Beauty show director

@ian_archbold @salonbeauty.uk

Ian organises and administers the Salon Beauty trade exhibition (formerly Olympia Beauty), which he established with his business partner in 2005. He has worked in the sector for over 20 years, striking up long-term relationships with brands and industry personnel in his roles across sales and as a show director. He spearheads partnerships and boasts a big book of global industry contacts.

NERGISH WADIA-AUSTIN

Beauty industry coach, management trainer & founder of PHAB Service Stars

@nergishwadiaaustin @phabservicestars

Nergish is an expert in increasing service and retail performance, and offers tailor-made online and in-person courses for leaders, managers and salon professionals who want to improve operations and boost revenue. She has an exceptional ability to identify business gaps, with a no-nonsense approach to raising salon and spa profitability. Nergish is the founder of PHAB Service Stars, the only performance-based benchmarking system for the hair and beauty industry. She is a well-respected business training guru, known for her high level of expertise and proven results.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN

Competition director

@sean_patrick_o

Sean has over 25 years' experience in the nail industry, with teaching and motivational expertise. He holds qualifications in all aspects of nailcare and delivers nail technology training and assessments. Sean has been involved in managing and judging national and international nail competitions, and is the lead nail judge for WorldSkills UK.

POALA JAMES

Co-founder & director of VODEX Ltd

@vodexbeautyextraction

As co-founder of VODEX Ltd, Poala specialises in the distribution and manufacture of extraction products to remove fumes and dust from breathing zones. VODEX’s SalonAIR® range was developed following her experiences in salon environments, and the brand launched podiatry product, the ChiroPOD UVC® in January 2024.

KIM FORD

Beauty & education expert & examiner

@kimfordexpert

Kim has worked in the beauty and education sectors for over 30 years, visiting over 40 countries and focusing on beauty, spa, sports, nails, holistic therapy and aesthetics. Her career spans private and public education establishments, spas, salons and retail businesses. Kim is an international examination officer and a chairman for BABTAC and CIBTAC. As the VP of CIDESCO GB, she sits on many industry boards as a director or trustee, and has won awards for education and business worldwide. Kim is a speaker at industry events and business volunteer for students in colleges. She owns Beauty Enterprise Solutions, Consultancy & Training and runs Just Entre-Nous, an aesthetic and beauty business.

METTA FRANCIS

Award-winning nail pro

@nailsbymets

Metta is founder of mobile nail company, Nails by Mets, and has over 13 years’ experience of private clients, pop-up events, session work, expert seminars and more. She has a diverse work and industry portfolio and is in the Scratch Stars Hall of Fame as an Ultimate Mobile Nailist. Metta has won the Scratch Stars Natural Nailcare Specialist title twice.

KIM

Social media mentor for nail techs & luxury manicurist

@nailslikeus

Kim is dedicated to helping fellow nail techs understand the power of social media to grow their businesses. She is committed to guiding nail techs towards success while enjoying her work as a manicurist, and provides pros with the tools and knowledge to achieve their business goals and boost their brand presence online.

PAUL MCLINTOCK

Director of Andreia Professional UK & Ireland

@paulmclintock @andreia.professional.uk

Paul is an experienced global commercial director within the beauty industry. Over a 20 year career, Paul has accrued expertise in commercial brand strategies and business leadership teams. He began his career as a spa director, before transitioning to brand development. Within roles at Comfort Zone and Aromatherapy Associates, he led brand strategies worldwide. He is also actively involved in non-executive work, and has completed four years as Chair of the Student Services Board at Queen Mary University of London.

REBECCA ISAAC

Hall of Fame guest judge & nail artisan

@eckyb

Rebecca is an award-winning nail artist & educator, with 21 years’ experience as a salon owner. She has worked closely with Nail Artists UK and Mystic Nails UK, and enjoys sharing her skills and experience with others. Rebecca scooped the Scratch Star for One Stroke Artist of the Year three times, entering the Hall of Fame for this category.

ZOYA MAC

Nail content creator

@zoya_mac

With over eight years’ experience as a nail artist, Zoya transitioned into the roles of social media manager & content creator. She is passionate about creating captivating and engaging product reels and nail tutorial videos, and helps brands showcase their products in authentic ways.

JACQUI O’SULLIVAN

Esteemed educator & competition director

@jacqui0s

Jacqui has enviable teaching and motivational

expertise and vast experience delivering training and assessments in nail technology, customer care, nail art and procedures within high pressure settings. She holds a degree in Education and Scratch Star for Services to the Nail Industry. Jacqui judges at and administers a number of nail competitions, including Nailympia and WorldSkills, and has worked with awarding bodies in the education sector. She has also helped develop training courses and nail products.

CHARLI JEPSON

Head of education at Glitterbels

@charlijepson

Charli has nearly 20 years’ experience in the nail industry and was honoured with the prestigious Scratch Stars Educator of the Year award in 2018. She has assisted Marian Newman BEM for many years at London and Paris Fashion Weeks, gaining invaluable experience in the world of high fashion. As head of education for Glitterbels, Charli takes pride in her journey and the growth of the nail industry.

SUE DAVIES

Nail industry veteran & educator

@_sue_davies

Sue is a nail and beauty industry veteran and has worked in the sector since 2002 as a mobile therapist, home salon owner, freelancer and owner of an award-winning salon. She has been an educator, competition director, judge and advocate for industry professional standards and shares her wisdom on her podcast and online platform, Inspiring Salon Professionals. Sue is dedicated to helping salon businesses elevate their success through the client experience and service excellence. She scooped the Scratch Stars Award for Services to the Nail Industry in 2017.

AMELIA BLACK

Head of brand & marketing at ABT Insurance

@abtinsurance

Amelia has worked across the B2B beauty, hair and wellbeing sectors for over nine years, delivering creative campaigns and commercial collaborations for ABT Insurance. She supports its growing 18,000 membership base and builds on commercial client relationships: providing consultative methods alongside event and marketing packages.

SHARON SANDHU

Head of commercial at Nail Alliance UK

@gelishofficialuk

Sharon has worked in the professional hair and beauty industry within product development, marketing and commercial capacities for over 20 years. At Toni & Guy, she curated retail strategies for salons and enhanced product knowledge skills, before moving to Salon Services within a buying role for the professional hair and nail categories. Sharon develops promotional and new product launch strategies and is focused on the UK expansion of the Gelish & Morgan Taylor brands.

DENISE WRIGHT

Educator, salon owner & competition director

@denisewrightnails

Denise has been in the nail industry for 30 years and is a renowned international judge & competition director. She owns award-winning Kent salon and nail training centre, Perfect 10, and is an international education team member for NSI. Denise conducts training and seminars for the brand worldwide and contributes to its product development. She has achieved 13 UK and international competition wins, and been an examiner for City & Guilds and VTCT, and UK Habia Skills team member. Denise has worked with numerous celebrities and as a columnist for trade magazines. She was awarded the Scratch Star for Services to the Nail Industry in 2019.

JOANNA TOMPKINS

Award-winner & founder of Nail Tech Tribe & the Nail Business Success Club

@thenailtechtribe

After building a successful award-winning mobile nail business, Joanna Tompkins was awarded the Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year title in 2019. She went on to win the Scratch Stars Nail Business Mentor Of The Year award in 2023 for the support she gives the industry via the free Nail Tech Tribe community and Nail Business Success Club (NBSC). Joanna supports sole trader nail techs and beauticians to get fully booked and earn £3 to 5k per month.

KIRSTY MEAKIN

Globally renowned nail artist & Hall of Fame guest judge

@kirstymeakin

Kirsty is recognised worldwide for her nail art skills and has over 100 nail accoladesincluding a position in the Scratch Stars Hall of Fame for her social media proficiency. She has also been nominated for awards including Nail Artist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards. Kirsty has been honing her skills for over 20 years, and her creations have been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum art gallery in London. She is passionate about education and has her own product range, which includes gel polish, acrygel, nail tools and merchandise.

ZAARA KING

Beauty business success & mindset coach

@zaaraking

Zaara is dedicated to supporting self-employed beauty professionals, and is passionate about helping them earn more, work less and create an unstoppable mindset. She is founder & podcast host of The Beauty Build. Zaara has been a beauty business owner for 13 years, working on a mobile basis, at home and in a salon.

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