A STYLIST from a Kidderminster salon has secured a highly sought after spot working with a prestigious hairdressing academy.

Clare Hatherill, of Elizabeth & Giovanni’s Hair & Beauty Salon, Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, beat off strong competition to be chosen to join the Clynol Protégé team.

The 18-year-old underwent an intense judging process at Clynol’s London Academy in front of established experts in the hairdressing industry such as Ross Taylor, creative director at Falltricks Hair and Beauty, Scott Wright from The Hair Surgery and British Hairdressing Awards ‘Hall of Fame’ member, Hensmans director Gemma Hensmans and the editor of Professional Hairdresser magazine, Nicola Shannon.

Clare and the other finalists were assessed on their live cutting and styling work, team work and presentation skills.

The national under 25’s competition gives the final chosen team members the opportunity to spend the year working under the wings of Clynol’s premier hairdressers and technicians.

They are given the opportunity to take to the stage for presentations and style their own photo-shoot as a finale to this invaluable 12 months.

Clare said: “It was my first time entering and it wasn’t as scary as I expected - it was just like doing my job!

“I think the build up to the day and the preparation was more stressful as it was always on my mind but that just made me more relaxed on the day.”