Andrea Simpson is an award-winning facialist, global educator and founder of The Facial Mentor. With more than 25 years of experience in professional beauty and wellness, she is recognised internationally for her expertise, innovation and passion for raising standards across the industry.
In her sought-after clinic, Andrea created the celebrated Autograph Facials, a collection of bespoke treatments that fuse advanced skin technology with Ayurvedic principles. Her results-driven yet soulful approach has earned her a year-long client waitlist and a reputation as the go-to facialist for celebrities, royals and high-profile figures. Guided by her belief that “It’s never just a facial,” Andrea blends science, intuition and artistry to deliver experiences that go far beyond skin.
Alongside her clinic work, Andrea has trained and mentored therapists and spa teams around the world, from boutique settings to some of the world’s most prestigious and Forbes 5-star spas. She is a multi best-selling author, an international speaker and the creative force behind The Facial Mentor, where she empowers solo professionals with education that combines technical mastery, business acumen and authentic care.
Her achievements include multiple industry accolades, most notably Facialist of the Year at the BABTAC Awards, recognising her as a thought leader and innovator. Andrea’s reputation as both practitioner and educator is built on her ability to bridge high-performance skin health with the art of human connection.
As a judge for the Professional Beauty Awards, Andrea brings a global perspective, a deep respect for excellence and integrity, and a sharp eye for innovation. She is honoured to celebrate the creativity, dedication and vision of the professionals shaping the future of beauty.
Clare Rogers is a respected beauty, skincare, and wellness industry expert, bringing over three decades of service, educational, and entrepreneurial experience to the judging panel. As the founder, owner, and Managing Director of The Treatment Rooms Brighton, Clare is a leading UK authority in advanced skincare and holistic well-being, dedicated to championing professional excellence across the sector. A Brighton-born therapist, Clare’s deep understanding of technical training and professional standards was solidified early on during her tenure as a Lecturer in Beauty Therapy at City College Brighton and Hove from 1984 to 1989. Her enduring contributions to the sector and commitment to fostering talent have been formally recognised by her formal college—now Brighton MET College—which awarded her the prestigious title of Golden Alumni in 2010 for being a notable ex-Beauty Therapy student.
In June 1995, Clare launched a landmark commercial venture, opening The Treatment Rooms in Brighton. Under her strategic leadership, the independent business has evolved into one of Brighton's largest skincare and well-being clinics. The facility features ten air-conditioned treatment rooms, two changing rooms, and a dedicated relaxation room, serving as a regional benchmark for operational excellence and high-end hospitality.
Clare’s commercial acumen is further demonstrated through curated partnerships with premier brands, including Dibi Milano, Crystal Clear, Aromatherapy Associates, Legology, and Amly.
Spanning clinical skincare, advanced laser hair removal, and specialised massage, her business reflects a total mastery of both beauty innovation and holistic wellness, granting her a highly balanced, expert view of diverse industry categories.
Built on robust educational foundations, multi-decade business leadership, and an uncompromising ethos of safety, Clare possesses an authoritative perspective on modern day beauty salon excellence. As an industry awards judge, she applies this rigorous, multi-faceted expertise to evaluate submissions, assess service standards, and honour the standout professionals and businesses shaping the future of the beauty industry.
I’m the owner and beauty therapist at The Fountain Beauty Therapy in Surrey and have worked in the beauty industry for over 30 years.
I’m still very much a hands-on therapist and combine running a busy independent salon with my wider industry roles as a Professional Beauty judge and speaker, HABIA Apprenticeships Ambassador and member of the Beauty Directors Club. I’m also a co-author of Beauty and the Best 2.
I’m passionate about raising standards within our industry, supporting the next generation through apprenticeships and continuing to learn and evolve. For me, great beauty businesses are built around excellent treatments, genuine client care and a real passion for what we do.
With a career spanning over 30 years in the Skincare and Spa industry, Fiona Brackenbury has worked passionately to become a true expert in her field and one of the authority leaders of skincare in the UK. Fiona has played a multi-faceted role in the skincare industry from treating celebrity clients to designing facials and treatments and training thousands of beauty professionals.
With an encyclopedic knowledge of the skin, ingredients, and products, and working with the labs on global product launches & education her passion and heart truly lies in the skincare industry.
Jacqui O'Sullivan is an award-winning educator, international competition judge, co-author, and passionate champion of the nail industry. With over 30 years experience Jacqui has collaborated with various awarding bodies within the further education sector alongside being on the board of directors for HABÍA. She has one foot firmly in academia and the other in the fast-paced world of professional nails, she has spent her career proving that technical excellence and creativity make the perfect pair.
Currently a Lecturer in Nail Services, Jacqui is dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of nail professionals. Whether she's teaching in the classroom, mentoring future talent, or sharing her expertise through writing, her mission is simple: to raise standards and celebrate excellence across the industry.
Jacqui's contribution to the profession was recognised with the prestigious Scratch Stars Award for Services to the Nail Industry, a testament to her years of dedication, innovation, and influence. She is also highly respected as a Head Floor Judge and Director of Competitions for Professional Beauty, as well as a leading figure at international events including Nailympia. Renowned for her keen eye for detail, commitment to fairness, and deep technical knowledge, Jacqui has helped shape competition standards on a global stage. Holding a BA (Hons) in Education from Manchester Metropolitan University, Jacqui combines academic rigour with real-world industry expertise. As a co-author, educator, columnist judge, and lifelong learner, she continues to share knowledge, inspire professionals, and advocate for the artistry, skill, and professionalism that define the modern nail industry.
Known for her enthusiasm, integrity, and unwavering belief in the power of education, Jacqui remains a driving force in helping the nail industry sparkle, one professional at a time.
Jody Taylor is the founder of Skin Deep Clinic and Academy and an established authority in the UK beauty and aesthetics sector. Bringing three decades of experience to the Professional Beauty awards judging panel, her background spans roles as a practitioner, salon owner, college director, and brand educator.Her clinical excellence is recognised through major accolades, including winning Professional Beauty UK Therapist of the Year and British Hair and Beauty Aesthetic Clinic of the Year.
As an educator, Jody has mentored thousands of practitioners with a strict focus on advanced skin science. An expert in advanced aesthetics treatments, Jody previously served as a trainer for Dermapen and an ambassador for Juliette Armand and Innoaesthetics. She currently represents Circadia Skincare UK and Dermaceutic as an educator and clinical advisor.
As a regular industry journal contributor and conference speaker, Jody brings an objective, well-rounded perspective to the judging process
Karen Thompson is the owner and CEO of Beauty Secrets, an established group of five beauty salons and day spas across Sussex and Surrey.
With almost three decades of experience within the professional beauty industry, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge spanning salon operations, business development, team leadership, client experience and commercial strategy.
Beauty Secrets has been part of the professional beauty landscape for more than 40 years. Karen worked alongside its founder, Beryl Martin, for many years before taking the business forward, preserving its strong heritage while continuing to evolve the group to meet the changing expectations of clients and the industry.
Today, Karen leads a diverse team across five locations, offering everything from traditional beauty and holistic therapies to advanced skin, aesthetic and wellness treatments. She is particularly passionate about developing people, creating career opportunities within the beauty industry and ensuring that excellent technical skills are matched by exceptional client care.
Karen also has a strong interest in the wider challenges facing salon owners, including leadership, profitability, recruitment and retention, training, innovation and building sustainable businesses. She is an active member of her local business communities and serves as a volunteer Director of both Chichester BID and Horsham BID.
As a Professional Beauty Awards judge, Karen will be looking for businesses and individuals who combine outstanding professional standards with genuine passion, strong leadership, commercial awareness and an exceptional commitment to their clients and teams.
For Karen, the very best in professional beauty is about much more than delivering a great treatment – it is about creating an experience, developing people and building a business and culture that can thrive for the long term.
Katie Clark is an award-winning nail professional, educator, entrepreneur and founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range, with over 18 years’ experience in the nail industry.
From starting her career as a nail technician to building the #1 nail brand on TikTok Shop UK, Katie has dedicated her career to raising industry standards through education, innovation and professional product development.
A Professional Beauty Award winner, experienced competition judge and educator, Katie has trained and supported thousands of nail professionals throughout her career. Her products are now used by nail techs across the UK, with several becoming bestselling and viral industry favourites.
Katie is passionate about championing technical excellence, safer working practices and the continued growth of the professional nail industry.
Gemma has spent over 26 years in the beauty industry. She is the founder and owner of Lily’s Beauty Salon, a multi award-winning boutique salon, established in 2014. Under her leadership, the salon has won numerous accolades, including Professional Beauty Boutique Salon of the Year 2021, BABTAC Small Salon of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, and a BABTAC Platinum Status recognition award.
Gemma regularly appears as a guest speaker at shows and serves as a judge on the panel for Professional Beauty.
She has recently contributed to the third volume of Beauty & the Best, the bestselling series that features personal stories from 22 industry professionals, offering unique insight into the highs and lows of the beauty industry and what can be achieved when passion meets purpose.
Gemma is passionate about helping and inspiring the next generation of beauty professionals and salon owners. She is especially keen on encouraging others to discover their salon’s unique identity and define their USP.
When she’s not running her business, Gemma loves spending time with her son, Charlie, and mischievous Dachshund, Truffle.
With more than 30 years in the professional beauty and spa industry, Kelly Shaw has experienced the industry from almost every angle: therapist, educator, spa director, salon owner, author, speaker, coach and mentor.
Kelly’s career has taken her from senior education roles within the professional skincare industry to Spa Director positions at some of the world’s most prestigious luxury resorts, including Four Seasons and Shangri-La.
Today, she is the founder of k:SPA, her multi-award-winning skin and wellness salon in Hampshire, which she has successfully grown and evolved for more than 18 years.
Alongside running k:SPA, Kelly is a salon business coach and mentor, working with salon and spa owners who want to build stronger teams, improve performance and create businesses that give them greater freedom rather than demanding more of their time.
Her coaching focuses particularly on leadership, accountability, team performance and putting the right systems in place so owners are no longer the person holding everything together.
Kelly is also the author of How to Make Your Salon Work, So You Don’t Have To!, an industry speaker and an experienced Professional Beauty Awards judge.
Passionate about raising standards across the industry, Kelly brings both strategic business insight and more than three decades of hands-on experience to her judging, with a particular interest in leadership, client experience, team culture and sustainable growth.
With more than 20 years of experience in the spa industry, Rachel Bevan has built a career shaped by a genuine passion for people, wellbeing and the power of spa to make a meaningful difference. Beginning her journey as a spa therapist, Rachel has progressed through hands-on treatment, management and business development roles to become General Manager of the UK Spa Association.
Her career has given her a unique perspective across the industry, from understanding the client experience first-hand and supporting spa teams, to developing businesses, building partnerships and championing the wider spa community. This breadth of experience has given Rachel a deep understanding of both the challenges faced by those working in spa and the importance of creating exceptional experiences for every client.
Today, as General Manager of the UK Spa Association, Rachel is passionate about bringing people together, celebrating the incredible work taking place across the industry and helping to shape a positive future for spa. She is particularly passionate about creating more inclusive and accessible spa environments for people experiencing cancer and other life-changing illnesses, as well as encouraging greater understanding of clients and team members who may be neurodiverse.
Rachel believes that spa has the power to make people feel cared for, understood and truly valued. Her vision is for an industry that not only delivers exceptional treatments and experiences, but also embraces individuality, supports its people and makes wellbeing accessible to everyone.
Bringing together hands-on industry experience, commercial insight and a strong passion for positive change, Rachel is committed to championing the people, businesses and ideas that will shape the future of spa.
Stefania Rossi is a multi-award-winning salon owner, recruitment specialist, industry adviser, mentor and international speaker.
As the owner of Utopia Beauty & Advanced Skincare in Hornchurch, Stefania is passionate about building strong, motivated teams and developing people within the hair and beauty industry.
Combining her background in specialist recruitment with extensive salon and business management experience, she founded Stefania Rossi Recruitment, helping businesses find, attract and retain the right talent.
Stefania is also a sought-after speaker, awards judge and industry expert, regularly sharing her knowledge on recruitment, careers, training and team development.
