21 April 2015

Step Up & Shine Scholarship Winner Revealed!

The winner of the second Christofer Mann ‘Step Up & Shine’ Scholarship (in conjunction with The Fellowship for British Hairdressing and The NHBF) has been announced at the glittering Fellowship President’s Night, held in London’s West End on Monday 20 April.

After an exhaustive six-month selection process involving YouTube entries, one-to-one interviews and two rounds of judging, the overall winner and second recipient of the Scholarship was announced as Sophie Freegard of Tops Hair and Beauty in Wiltshire.

Sophie wins a mentoring session with industry mentor Debbie G, who will help her plan a year of bespoke education worth £2,500.

“Step Up and Shine is an amazing project” said outgoing Fellowship President Errol Douglas. “It’s a way of uncovering the uncut diamonds of our industry and giving young people without resources or contacts the opportunity to learn from the best and progress their career.”

The NHBF/World Hair Director Paul Curry agreed: “This individual showed so much passion for education and our industry. She really shone throughout the process and sums up everything Christofer would have wanted in a new recruit!”

I was absolutely gobsmacked when they announced my name,” said Sophie.  “I was shaking so much and I don’t think it’s all sunk in even now, but I’m really excited about meeting Debbie G and getting started!”