Marnie Williams (centre) with Robert Eaton - president for the Fellowship (left) and chancellor for the fellowship, Karoliina Saunders (right)
Marnie Randall is the Head of Hair and Beauty at the college and she received an honour for her work for setting up the first centre of excellence in the country in partnership with the fellowship.
Her colleague Joanne Doward was shortlisted in the Trevor Sorbie award that celebrates creativity, innovation and success at the annual British Fellowship Ceremony held at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square at the end of 2023.
The award - named after well-known British hairdresser Trevor Sorbie MBE who is credited with inventing The Wedge haircut – saw a panel of judges including Trevor himself, Eugene Souleiman, Angelo Seminara, Guiseppe Stelitano and Nathan Walker work together to choose the winner of this accolade.
Joanne Doward and Marnie Williams at the fellowship awards (photo supllied by Jo Doward).
Unfortunately Joanne just missed out on the top prize but was just delighted to be nominated.
The hairdressing lecturer said: “I was shortlisted with six other people. We had to submit some of our work and did a five minute presentation. I was the only further education representative in the mix.
“Although I didn’t win, it was amazing to be recognised and to know that what I’m teaching my students resonates with industry big hitters is one of the highlights of my career.”
On receiving her award, Marnie said: “I didn’t know I was going to be recognised – I just went along to support Joanne. So when they called me up on stage I was surprised, really happy and very proud to be recognised by an industry that I am so passionate about.
“We got some lovely comments from fellow attendees and it’s great that our Academy of Hair and Beauty at West Suffolk College is now known by some of the very best people who are working in this fantastic industry.”
In addition to these awards, former students Lucy Wilding and Connor Chesterton are involved in a project where they will get to take part in a variety of industry shows that will tour the UK and they will also get the chance to be mentored by a member of the fellowship.