Bolton salon Craig’s Barber Shop is celebrating after being presented on 2nd September 2024 with the Best Local Salon trophy at prestigious national hair awards event, Most Wanted. Offering specialist services for non-verbal autistic and deaf clients, Craig’s fought off competition from a record-breaking number of entries to take the trophy, rewarding a salon that puts itself at the heart of its
community.
Established in 2001 by leading trade Creative HEAD, for more than two decades Most Wanted has celebrated artistic talent, innovations and original thinking in the British and Irish hairdressing industries. Last night’s Grand Final marked the culmination of the 2024 competition, taking place at London’s most exciting new cultural event space, Beams in Royal Docks, with comedian Suzi Ruffell as host. More than 650 VIPs from hair, beauty, fashion, business and media turned out to watch the crowning of this year’s new cohort of champions.
Salon owner Craig Henderson, aka the Neuro-Divergent Barber, has worked hard to create the right environment for non-verbal autistic and deaf clients, especially children. He offers a bespoke service tailored to suit the specific needs of each individual, devoting extra time to getting them comfortable with his cutting equipment and the noises associated with it. “You need to think
of the sensory explosion that greets someone with additional needs when they enter your barbershop or salon, It’s like a grenade going off!” he says. Craig has been known to cut hair lying on the floor or running around performing the cut – whatever it takes to make the client feel comfortable. “We are trained to cut hair,” he says. “Who says it needs to be in the chair?”
Judging this year’s Most Wanted entries was a stellar line-up of experts from the worlds of media, fashion design, education, photography and film, as well as leading hairdressing names. They included award-winning broadcaster, Ateh Jewel; founder of ARKIVE haircare, Adam Reed; beauty journalist, Cassie Steer; talent managers Lindsay Cruikshank and Charloge Rycroh; grooming expert for Dior, Hayden Cassidy; session stylists Sam McKnight MBE, Neil Moodie and Paul Percival; plus top salon owners, Nicola Clarke, Richard Phillipart and Dylan Bradshaw.
Craig win a prestigious Most Wanted trophy, a prize from category sponsor Revlon Professional, publicity across the Creative HEAD brand and the opportunity to appear at Creative HEAD events.
Says Creative HEAD editorial director, Amanda Nogage:
“Not every guest finds the salon environment welcoming. Craig devotes extraordinary amounts of time and effort into ensuring
all his clients feel comfortable, as well as providing his services within specialist education establishments for children and adults
with neuro diversities and disabilities. He is thoroughly deserve this accolade.”
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