Meet the Training Judges
The Industry Awards team are excited to introduce you to the panel of judges for our training awards this year!
We're honoured to have so many talented judges on board, all bringing with them years of experience and dedication to the hair, beauty and barbering industries. Keep reading to find out more about them.
Kim Ryan
Trained nurse and beauty therapist Kim Ryan has worked in the beauty industry for over 25 years, winning numerous awards for training and business development along the way. Kim and her husband Paul have since founded Advanced Derma Care, where Kim is the lead in product selection and training. Advanced Derma Care is a company that is constantly sourcing new and innovative skincare and technology into the New Zealand market.
Kim was formerly the President of the New Zealand Association of Registered Beauty Therapists, striving for safe practice and continuous education for all beauty therapists. It’s no surprise Kim is a sought-after beauty expert, having written for a number of magazines, including NZ Beauty, Headway, Mindfood, M2 Woman and Simply Beauty.
Kim has loved seeing the increase in entries from beauty therapists and can’t wait to see the talent in store this year.
Mana Dave
Mana Dave is an award-winning hairstylist and platform artist from Auckland. Mana loves the creativity and people focus of hairdressing, particularly his ability to make people look and feel good. He is the artistic director and co-owner of celebrated salon, Blaze, where he and his team are dedicated to training, upskilling, and mastering the latest trends.
His passion for hair colour and commitment to education and training has positioned him as a powerful figure in the hairdressing industry.
With Blaze celebrating its 15th birthday this year, Mana understands the significance of both technical skills and business acumen. For him, great hair colour is achieved through a strong consultation and strategic colour placement.
Mana first joined the judging panel for the training awards in 2020 and is excited to be returning again to see the ever-growing talent in our industries!
Rebecca Brent
Rebecca Brent is one of New Zealand’s most influential hair colourists, with over twenty years of styling experience. With over ten years in the L’Oréal Professionnel artistic team she has carved out a niche for creative colour work and exceptional education seminars.
By experimenting and pushing the boundaries with L’Oreal colour, she has majorly shaped the New Zealand colour scene with her hand painted pastel work, coined colour recipes and beautiful imagery.
Rebecca is the director/owner of iconic salon Willis York in Wellington. With a loyal following, Rebecca and the team at Willis York are renowned for inspirational hair work, as well as producing award winning, original thinking hair experts.
She continually gives back to the industry by hosting and curating fashion and design events and can’t wait to judge with this year’s panel.
Sean Faramand
Born in Iran and raised in New Zealand from age 14, Sean Faramand is becoming one of Auckland's most sought after barbers and educators.
An ex-DJ with a huge following to now a top New Zealand barber, winning multiple awards & one favoured by many who are in the know!
“Sean The Barber" has worked hard to build several brands within Auckland - his education platform "Barber Evolution" sees him travelling nationwide, inspiring our younger generations of barbers and hairdressers.
"The Groomsmen" is his latest innovative brand, filling a gap in the market where he offers high-end men's grooming services for weddings.
A 2022 Judge of the Training section for the Industry Awards - this man is passionate about raising the standard of NZ barbering.
The Industry Awards is taking a break in 2024
HITO, Kitomba Salon and Spa Software and Hair & Barber New Zealand have announced that The Industry Awards will be taking a break in 2024.