PB Awards judging completed

The final judging day for the Professional Beauty Awards took place yesterday, ending a process that included 18 trade tests, 31 official visits, 28 mystery shops and 25 live interviews. 

To decide on the winners, the most in-depth judging process in the industry began back in the summer. 

Entrants to all categories submitted an application form detailing the recent achievements and future plans of their businesses. Independent judges, each specialists in their field, then scored the hundreds of entries to whittle them down to a shortlist of 56 finalists across 12 categories. 

The next stage of the judging process varied depending on the category.

Finalists in the individual categories - Therapist of the Year, Nail Professional of the Year and Make-up Specialist of the Year - were invited to London to perform a trade test followed by interviews with judges. 

Finalists in the five salon and spa categories received two visits each: one from an announced visitor who experienced treatments and interviewed staff. And a second from a mystery shopper who booked in unannounced and received treatments as a normal client would. Each visitor reported back to the relevant judging panel, who scored the finalists based on their experiences.

Finalists in the two Employer of the Year categories (20 Employees or Fewer and 21 Employees or More) were invited to London to make a presentation to judges, followed by an interview. Their staff were also surveyed.

The winners of the Professional Beauty Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on Sunday February 24 at five-star Mayfair hotel The Hilton on Park Lane. Winners of the World Spa & Wellness Awards will also be announced at the major awards event.

Tables and individual seats to join the industry's biggest party can be booked online.