A leading male grooming business has been shortlisted for six major awards at Scotland’s hair and beauty ‘Oscars’.
After being named Scotland's Best Barbershop in 2022, Sovereign Grooming is in the running to retain the title at the 2023 SHABA Awards, held later this year.
The luxury barber - which has city centre outlets in Aberdeen and Edinburgh - has also been shortlisted in the best training school category for its Edinburgh academy, which takes students from being novices to fully-qualified in just 15 weeks.
Three Sovereign barbers are shortlisted for individual awards; Peter Healy for best barber, Kyle Ross for best male stylist and Magnus Hutchison for best barber colourist.
And for the third year in a row, the chain has been shortlisted in the best social media category for its marketing efforts.
Sovereign founder Kyle Ross said: "Our clients already know that Sovereign Grooming is a cut above the rest, but it is especially rewarding to see the business get such recognition from our peers.
"It is great to see the hard work and talent of the entire Sovereign team recognised in this way, and these nominations are testament to their commitment to quality and service."
The nominations follow significant expansion by the business, which is being backed by a group of investors led by MB Martin & Partners Ltd, a boutique investment house that specialises in helping high-potential early-stage companies grow.
Kyle launched his first salon in the West End of Aberdeen's Union Street in 2016 to provide a high-quality grooming service for men.
The business, which initially launched as 'Huntsman', rebranded as Sovereign in 2018 and now has a second major city centre salon, at New Waverley in Edinburgh.
Since launching the business, Kyle has won a catalogue of industry awards. In 2017, he was named Scottish Men’s Stylist of the Year as well as winning Best Barber UK at the International Barber Awards in Germany.
He was subsequently named Best Barber at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards 2018 and was named as one of Scotland's 'Coolest People' by The Herald newspaper.
Marketing expert and former journalist Ryan Crighton became a shareholder and director in the business in 2018.
MB Martin & Partners Ltd Chief Executive, Moray Martin, later joined Sovereign’s board as chairman following the investment deal to support the business founders through its growth phase.
Together, they are seeking to establish Sovereign as a major player in the male grooming industry across the UK.
