Meet the Judges – The Industry Awards 2019
Entries into the The Industry Awards 2019 have now closed and we’re so excited to look through the entries and see all your talent and creativity!
We have our judges standing by to review all of the entries and determine the winners. Finalists will be announced at the end of September, and winners will be announced at The Industry Awards event on November 10th at Te Papa in Wellington.
We have some experienced Industry Awards judges back on board and we’re also welcoming some brand new judges this year. Our judges come from a wide variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience across the hair and beauty industries.
Now to introduce our judges for the business, training and creative categories.
Business awards judges
Audrey Hill – National Key Account manager, L’Oreal Professional Products
Audrey has been with the L’Oréal Professional Products division for 17 years. For the first 14 years she worked with Kérastase in a range of roles including Area Manager, Key Account Manager and Education Manager.
Following this, Audrey spent 18 months with the Redken brand in sales, before moving into her current national role encompassing Business Development for the division.
Audrey is passionate about working with salons to create the perfect client journey to ensure the ultimate client experience, and maximum profitability for the salon.
“It’s a huge honour to be on the judging panel and I’m super excited to be immersed in the passion of our industry.”
Seumus Cooney – New Zealand Regional Manager, Wella Professionals
Seumus started out in the industry in 1994 working for Combined Salon Supplies. He spent two years gaining invaluable front line warehouse and logistics experience. Making a move into sales, he worked for IMM Corp. Ltd whose hero brand was Nioxin.
A year later Seumus joined the Wella brand, and 2019 marks Seumus’s 21st year with the company. During his time with Wella he’s had a number of roles, from Sales Consultant through to Senior Sales Consultant, Key Account Manager, and now for more than six years, New Zealand Regional Manager. He works with a wide number of brands including System Professional, Nioxin, Sebastian, SP, Wella Professionals and Clairol.
Supporting training and capability has always been a priority for Seumus and he feels his involvement with The Industry Awards is another way to do that. Seumus has judged the business categories many times, so he brings years of judging experience to the panel.
“I feel honoured to judge these awards and have an intimate view into just how exceptional our industry really is.”
Malcolm Gibbons – Business Coach, Salon Business Coach
Malcolm’s introduction to the hairdressing industry was through working with a salon specific product supplier. For around 10 years he helped salon owners with products, and providing business advice and in-salon training.
Malcolm then ventured into salon ownership. For over 16 years he worked to triple the floor space of his flagship salon, added spa services and increased revenue by over 470% per week – all whilst buying, building and selling another salon and owning a computer and software supply company.
For the last ten years he’s been successfully coaching hair and beauty salons in sales growth, service delivery, time management, culture change and all other aspects of salon business ownership. Malcolm also delivers regular business changing ‘salon owner retreats’ offshore and works with salon owners locally and internationally.
Malcolm’s no stranger to judging the business categories for The Industry Awards, having previously been a judge 3 times, that combined with his vast (over 30 years) experience in the industry makes him a real asset to the 2019 judging panel.
“Once again I’m excited to judge the Industry business awards, it’s so good to see the bar being pushed higher each year. I’m always impressed with the quality of the entries and inspired by the actions the successful salons are taking in business.”
Training awards judges
Craig Stinson – Owner, Calibre Salons
Craig’s hairdressing experience dates back to 1980, when he worked in a salon after school. Shortly after, Craig became an apprentice with George Janis in Wellington. After working with them for almost a decade, Craig moved to Auckland to work for Colin Ford; he then took some time off the salon floor to work as a Colour Technician for Joico, later becoming their Technical Manager in Christchurch.
Fast forward and he was back in Wellington to open his first salon with George Janis at Queens Wharf. It wasn’t long before he took over the business and opened it under the name ‘Calibre’. For Craig, entering competitions is hugely important – they not only help build a stylist’s confidence, but also their exposure in the industry. Training is a huge focus at Calibre, and apprenticeships are actively encouraged.
Craig’s been lucky enough to travel the world and meet other hairdressers – watching them work and train has given him a real insight into what makes a great hairdresser.
He’s looking forward to judging the Training category for The Industry Awards and helping emerging stylists make their mark.
Kim Ryan – Owner, Advanced Derma Care
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. She and her husband, Paul, have since founded Advanced Derma Care, where Kim is the lead in product selection and training.
Kim is past President of the New Zealand Association of Registered Beauty Therapists, always striving for safe practice and continuous education for all beauty therapists. She is a sought-after beauty expert and has written for a number of magazines, including NZ Beauty, Headway, Mindfood, M2 Woman and Simply Beauty. She is now reviewing content for the open polytechnic for their recent qualification in sterilisation.
Kim is very much looking forward to judging this year and can’t wait to see the talent in store.
Rebecca Brent – Owner, Willis York
Rebecca Brent is one of New Zealand’s most influential hair colourists, with 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, New Zealand. 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 be a part of this year’s judging panel.
Katrina Herbert – Owner, The Capital Barber
Kat began her journey as a Hairdressing apprentices at 15 years old. After completing her qualification under the tutelage of David Bendell, she became a contractor stylist in the Wellington region, later opening of her own Salon in Petone. Kat thoroughly enjoyed her Hairdressing career and the opportunities it offered, particularly training young professionals to help them gain their qualifications.
With a passion for cutting and styling men’s hair, Kat diversified her skills, training in barbering and men’s grooming in 2005 and positioning herself as Senior Barber at Monsignors Barber Shop. In 2015 Kat opened her own inner-city Barber Shop in Wellington, The Capital Barber, offering corporate professionals a first-class barbering experience. With both barbering and hairdressing under her belt, Kat is the perfect trainer to her apprentices.
Kat is looking forward to being part of the judging team at this year’s Industry Awards and can’t wait to scout new talent.
Creative awards judges
Kobi Bokshish
Kobi Bokshish is a master hairstylist, a creative and well respected individual and represents Matrix Australia as one of the brand’s leading Artists.
Boasting over 25 years of rich industry experience, Kobi has been fortunate enough to travel the globe over his career. Spanning across the international waters, originally hailing from Israel, Kobi first started cutting hair while serving in the air force military at the ripe age of 19.
Fast forward 25 years, Kobi is well recognised with his established business Intershape, positioned in the hustling suburb of Bondi Junction. Kobi has owned Intershape and been at the forefront of the business for over a decade, where he has successfully built up a loyal clientele.
Also boasting an impressive portfolio across fashion styling, creative edge and innovation, Kobi is a dedicated and passionate artist with an eye for impeccable detail.
Over the last 3 years Kobi has shown dedication and hard work to his craft, cementing himself as a finalist in both Australian Hair Fashion Awards and Hair Expo for Australian Hairdresser of the Year, also winning 2017 Artistic team of the year with Intershape salon. Kobi continues to take the hair world by storm, most recently taking out the global award of Hairdresser of the year at the international TCT Awards, representing Australia in Canary Islands, Spain in 2018.
Get an insight into Kobi’s personal and professional world by following on Instagram: @Kobibokshish @intershapehair
Tabatha Coffey
Tabatha is credited for her ability to transform struggling businesses and people’s lives, through her no-nonsense approach and savvy business expertise. She draws on her own life experiences, and her transformative coaching skills to offer straightforward advice and deliver her empowering message of inner beauty and strength. Her television show, speaking appearances and books inspire women and men around the world to take charge of their lives, their businesses and their futures.
Tabatha’s television presence includes her Bravo shows Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, Tabatha Takes Over and Relative Success, as well as appearing as an expert on numerous daytime TV shows including The Talk, Dr. Oz, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show and Fashion Police. She has always shone on the red carpet as an award show correspondent and expert, critiquing red carpet looks for the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and the Emmys.
Tabatha is also a contributing writer for People Style Watch and Pop Sugar, as well as Global Business Ambassador for Matrix Hair Care.
As a sought-after public speaker, she speaks at national and international beauty industry shows, and significant business and non-profit events around the world. Her most recent accolades include a successful TEDx Talk in St Louis and being inducted into the Australian Hairdressing Hall of Fame.
While she has made her mark on reality and daytime television, the red carpet and the best-selling author list, Coffey’s “roots” began in the hair industry. From the beginning of her career when she was 14-years- old in Australia to training with Vidal Sassoon and Toni and Guy in London, to owning her own salon in the United States.
While Coffey regularly travels around the world to educate stylists, she also works closely to help create the incredible hairstyles featured in advertising and trend collection imagery. Over the last 30 years, Coffey has worked with a veritable who’s-who of the industry in Australia, Great Britain and the United States.
Tabatha’s memoir It’s Not Really About the Hair: The Truth About Life, Love and the Business of Beauty is in its fourth printing, published by Harper Collins. Her second book Own It, also published by Harper Collins is in its third printing.
Lex Buckley
Lex Buckley, together with partner Sheryl, are the publishers of the well-known and well-read Images Magazine. Now in its 18th year, Images has earned an international reputation and was awarded an Intercoiffure Global Press Award Paris in 2009.
Lex says; “With a keen interest in photography, I have an eye for the “money shot” which is stunning enough for a magazine editorial or front cover. My focus while judging the submitted images this year will be on the total look and feel of the shot; for example, does it tell a story? is it visually exciting?”
This will be Lex’s 4th year judging the Editorial Stylist of the Year awards – as a stalwart of the industry and with a keen eye for detail, we’re excited to have him on board again this year and we truly value his experience and support.
Dee Parker Attwood
Four-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year finalist, Dee Parker Attwood, is one of Australia’s most in-demand hair stylists and educators. With a career spanning over 20 years. Dee’s passion is dedicated to creating both cutting edge and on-trend styles and sharing her extensive knowledge with others.
With an expanding portfolio of celebrity clients, Dee’s reputation precedes her. She spends her time owning and running top Melbourne salon Wieselmann and travelling interstate and overseas representing Schwarzkopf Professional as a Guest Artist.
Dee is very involved in the industry as an award judge and mentor, and she’s an award winner herself, including recently being named “Hairdresser of the Year” at Hair Expo Australia.