Meet the judges
Check out the esteemed judges of the Scratch Stars Awards 2026 who will be deliberating over finalist entries to reward a winner in each award category.
The judges for the 2026 event comprise expert educators put forward by sponsors, guest judges, those who have achieved Hall of Fame status and specially selected industry personnel covering all facets of the nail sector.
JUDGES: Practical tech categories
The following judges will be assessing finalists in the below categories:
L&P Tech of the Year | Gel Tech of the Year | Polish & Paint Artist of the Year | Mixed Media Artist of the Year | Gel Polish Stylist of the Year | Natural Nail Specialist of the Year | Nail Stylist of the Year | Pedicurist of the Year
ANTONY BUCKLEY
Representing Gelish
@antony_gelish
Antony’s nail industry career began in 1992. He worked in a number of salons, where he continued to develop his skills through advanced training, and took his first steps to becoming an educator. By 1995, alongside teaching and assisting with distribution, he entered the UK competition circuit, achieving multiple medals. He progressed to become a global educator in 2000. Further competition medals were attained, and since 2010 he has been European director of education, dean of education and global educator for Gelish.
CATRIONA LEITH
Hall Of Fame judge
@thenailstudiocb
Cambridgeshire-based Cat Leith boasts 19 years’ experience in the nail sector. She balances salon and education roles, crafting artistic creations for the loyal clients of her business, The Nail Studio, while delivering high-quality training to pros as co-head of education for Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy. Cat has scooped a multitude of awards, including the Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year and One Stroke Artist of the Year accolades in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As a result, she entered the awards’ Hall Of Fame for both categories.
CHARLI JEPSON
Representing Glitterbels
@charlijepson
Charli Jepson began her career in the nail industry over 19 years ago and is head of education at Glitterbels, where she has built and leads one of the UK’s largest education programmes. She is a multi award-winning nail professional, with achievements including Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2018. She has led the Glitterbels Education Team to scoop three Scratch Stars Nail Team of the Year awards – meaning the team is in the Hall Of Fame for this category.
CHARLOTTE LOWE
Representing OPI
@charlotteloweopi
Charlotte Lowe is OPI UK&I’s Education Brand Manager. She has over 15 years’ experience in the industry, with career highlights including working on various nail teams for London and Paris Fashion Weeks. She was part of the Scratch Stars Nail Team of the Year in 2023 and an Educator of the Year finalist for 2025.
DANIELLE BRINDLEY
Hall Of Fame judge
@missbrinnynailartist
Danielle Brindley is a multi award-winning nail artist & Midlands educator for Glitterbels. Danielle has been recognised in the World’s Star Nail Artist contest 2023, is in the Scratch Stars Awards Hall Of Fame for Polish & Paint Artist of the Year (2022, 2024 & 2025) and scooped the Mixed Media Artist of the Year title in 2024.
DENISE SPRAGG
Guest Judge
/denisespragg1971
Denise is the co-owner & director of The Sangha House, a health and wellbeing centre in Taunton, Somerset, and her speciality is advanced pedicure techniques. She has been qualified since 2011, and was the legal and financial director of the Federation of Nail Professionals under the leadership of Marian Newman. Denise won the SOS Beauty Awards accolade for UK Foot Practitioner of the Year in 2023, and judged the same category the following year. This is her second year judging the Scratch Stars Awards, and she has a monthly column, Foot Notes, in Scratch magazine.
EMMA-JANE HEIR
Representing The GelBottle
@emmajane.nails
Emma-Jane has been a nail technician for over a decade, and a salon co-owner for seven. She has been a brand educator for six years – two of which have been with The GelBottle Inc. Her career has involved working with brands, developing educational recourses, creating social content and hosting masterclasses. Emma-Jane is passionate about celebrating the nail industry and recognising the dedication and craftsmanship of its members.
JACQUI O'SULLIVAN
Guest judge
@jacqui0s
Jacqui has enviable teaching and motivational expertise and vast experience delivering training and assessments in nail technology, customer care, nail art and procedures within high pressure settings. A nail tutor at Stockport College, Jacqui holds a degree in Education and Scratch Star for Services to the Nail Industry. Jacqui judges at and administers nail competitions, including Nailympia and WorldSkills UK, and has worked with awarding bodies in the education sector. She has also helped develop training courses and nail products.
JADE BARBER
Guest judge
@nailandbeautyexcellence
Jade is a multi award-winning nail technician, educator and judge with over 12 years’ industry experience. She has competed nationally and internationally in live and online competitions, earning over 100 industry awards across multiple categories, including recognition from the Scratch Stars Awards. A huge part of Jade’s journey has been competing, but she is equally passionate about giving back to the industry. Now serving as an international competition judge, she continues to support and celebrate new talent. Jade is the founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence (NBE), a brand dedicated to premium professional products and in-depth training for nail professionals.
JENNI COLES (DRAPER)
Guest judge
@jennidraperr
With over 25 years’ experience in the nail industry, Jenni Coles (Draper) is a highly respected celebrity manicurist known for delivering exceptional, detail-driven work to an elite clientele. As the founder of PersoNAILity, she has channelled her expertise into creating a luxury brand dedicated to high-performance products and elevated nailcare standards. Alongside her work behind the scenes, she is a passionate educator, committed to sharing her knowledge and raising industry standards through expert-led training and mentorship.
JIAK HING
Hall Of Fame guest judge
@jark.nails
Jiak is a bespoke nail artist from Bolton, Manchester. Her nail industry journey began in 2017, when she trained alongside her full-time job as a pharmacy dispenser. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion, and Jiak specialises in unique, illustrative nail art under the business name, Jark Nails. She has scooped multiple industry awards, including the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Jiak was a Nail Safari guest artist in 2025 and is passionate about hands-on, face-to-face education. Her motto is: Keep going and keep painting, because education is the key to success!
KATIE BARNES
Representing Katie Barnes
@katiebarnes.toolrange
Katie Barnes is a multi award winning nail professional, Scratch Stars Awards winner, judge, industry blogger, educator & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range. With over two decades’ experience in the nail industry, Katie is known for her expertise in E-file techniques, salon efficiency, and raising professional standards. Through her education, blogging, and tools, she has supported thousands of nail technicians worldwide. As a judge for the Scratch Stars Awards, she brings extensive industry knowledge, a passion for excellence and a keen eye for detail.
KAYLEIGH MACKINNON
Representing Hara Pro
@kayleigh_mackinnon
With over 20 years’ experience in the beauty industry, and having worked with gel polish since its introduction to the market, Kayleigh has witnessed the evolution of nail technology and many techniques. As a passionate educator for Hara Professional, she delivers in-depth, hands-on training, sharing advanced skills and professional insights with nail technicians, emphasizing precision, creativity, and client-focused results.
KAYLEY CAIRNS
Hall Of Fame guest judge
@nailykayley
Kayley Cairns is a nail artist & educator based in Billericay, Essex. She provides education for beginners through to advanced skills as part of the multi award-winning HD Nail Artist Academy. Having been in the industry for 14 years, she has won a multitude of awards and competitions, including Nailympia London’s Winner of Winners title and five Scratch Stars Awards, including three for Nail Stylist of the Year – which propelled her into the Hall Of Fame. Kayley’s passion lies in nail artistry and she adores the flexibility that working with L&P acrylic allows.
KIRSTY MEAKIN
Hall Of Fame guest judge
@kirstymeakin
Kirsty Meakin is recognised globally for her nail artistry, and has over 100 nail accolades - including Scratch Stars Nail Artist of the Year 2012, Scratch Stars Ultimate Social Media Star and UK Nail Professional of the Year 2010. She has also been nominated for awards including Nail Artist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards and is an ambassador for Booksy. Kirsty has been honing her skills for over 20 years, and her creations have been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum art gallery in London. She is passionate about education and has her own product range, which includes gel polish, acrygel, nail tools and merchandise. She runs the much-loved Nail Mansion event in the UK and USA.
KYM MOODY
Representing HD Pro Nails
@kymmoody
Kym has worked in the nail industry for over 30 years and is an educator for Hazel Dixon Nail Artist & Academy. She is in the Scratch Stars Hall Of Fame, as part of the HD Pro Nails Nail Team of the Year, and enjoys delivering courses for beginners in manicure, pedicure, L&P, gel and nail art. Kym has worked as a salon owner and gained an NVQ Level 3 in both beauty and nails, as well as a PTTLS teaching qualification.
MICHELLE BROOKES
Representing Sweet Squared
@michellebrookes_nailacademy
Michelle is a nail and beauty industry professional & master educator. She scooped the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year award in 2022 and 2025 and runs her business: Beauty Lounge, Doncaster, and a nails and beauty academy. She is a Level 3 assessor in beauty and nails. A fully qualified DTLLS Tutor and IQA assessor, Michelle lends her expertise to judging competitions across the UK and Ireland.
MICHELLE THOMPSON
Representing Halo GP+
@educator_michelle79
With over 23 years’ experience as a nail technician, Michelle specialises in meticulous preparation techniques to create long-lasting enhancements using builder gel, hard gel and L&P acrylic systems. She is training manager at Pure Nails’ Halo Centre of Excellence and gained her teaching qualification in 2006. Michelle has since dedicated herself to educating and inspiring students, sharing her extensive knowledge and passion for the industry, which is an aspect of her career she finds particularly rewarding.
NINA LEWIS
Guest judge
@ninalewistraining
Nina’s career in nails and make-up began in 1992, and she worked in Harrods as a nail technician. She was headhunted by Charles Worthington to work for Jessica Nails, before moving to work on beauty teams in the music and TV industry, including with Simon Cowell for ITV. In later years, Nina joined The Joy Goodman Agency as an editorial nail specialist and worked on advertising and editorial campaigns. She became a qualified teacher & assessor (2011) and educator for Cuccio Europe (2014). In 2019, she achieved first place in the Great Scratch Shoot Out! Photographic competition and continues to work in TV while educating students and judging for industry competitions.
PAULINA ZDRADA
Hall Of Fame guest judge
@paulina.zdrada
Paulina is founder of The Nail Lab, The Nail Hub & NU:gel. The Scratch Stars Awards is close to her heart, as she has scooped six trophies. Paulina is in the Hall Of Fame as Ultimate Gel Tech, having won the Gel Tech of the Year category in 2013, 2014 and 2018. She was also crowned Gel Polish Stylist of the Year (2014) and One Stroke Artist of the Year (2015 and 2017). Paulina enjoys her role as a judge and believes that it is great for nail professionals to enter and compete.
REBECCA ORME
Guest judge
@rebeccaorme.nailpro
Rebecca is an international nail educator & celebrity manicurist with 24 years’ industry and 14 years teaching experience. She holds a 2:1 honours degree in Biological Science, specialising in human physiology and anatomy. Rebecca founded nail art brand, Creative Ten, in 2005, co-founded Be Creative in 2010, and has been the exclusive UK distributor of Mystic Nails since 2017. She founded Rebecca Orme Nail Pro and Tech 2 Pro, a membership for nail techs, and is an award-winning competitor. Accolades include a Scratch Star for Industry Innovation, a three-time Scratch Stars finalist for Educator of the Year and a Nailympia Online judge. Her work spans Fashion Weeks and brand campaigns.
SARA PINTO
Representing Andreia Pro
@sari_s_pinto
Sara has been working as a nail specialist since 2008, and is a master & international educator. She was a brand manager between 2011 and 2017, before moving on to work with Andreia Professional. For the last nine years, she has worked as product development manager the brand, and as its academy manager; responsible for its team of educators. Sara is an experienced judge of nail competitions and been lending her expertise to competitions worldwide since 2016.
SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Guest judge
@sean_patrick_o
Sean has over 25 years' experience in the nail industry, with teaching and motivational expertise. He holds qualifications in all aspects of nailcare and delivers nail technology training and assessments. Sean has been involved in managing and judging national and international nail competitions, and is the lead nail judge for WorldSkills UK and a scoring manager for Nailympia Competitions.
VICTORIA TAYLOR
Representing The Nail Lab
@victorianailsandtraining
Victoria is the education coordinator & an educator for The Nail Hub Education and The Nail Lab. She has over 20 years’ industry experience and has run her own business, Victoria Nails and Training. Victoria is committed to raising industry standards and supporting nail professionals in reaching their full potential. She believes that entering the Scratch Stars Awards is a real springboard for career growth, and she is proud and excited to be part of the event as a judge.
JUDGES: Business, education & media judging day
Lending their knowledge to our remaining categories are the likes of industry specialists and representatives from industry bodies. Each will be assigned up to two categories from the below list to assess in order to determine a winner in each:
Educator of the Year | Online Educator of the Year | Nail Salon of the Year | Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year | Home Nail Salon of the Year | Mobile Nailist of the Year | Nail Team of the Year | Social Media Star of the Year | The Shooting Star Award | Services to the Nail Industry
DENISE WRIGHT
International judge, competition director, award-winning salon owner & educator, as well as former examiner & recipient of the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2019.
KIM FORD
Founder of Beauty Enterprise Solutions: a global technical and strategic beauty business, education consultancy & training company.
SUE DAVIES
Client journey strategist, former award-winning salon owner, founder of Salonpreneur magazine & recipient of the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2017.
EMMA SARGENT
Owner of beauty course provider, Sargent Training, which offers the CIBTAC Level 3 Award in Education and Training.
ZAARA KING
Beauty business growth coach for service-based women & founder of podcast, Real with Zaara King.
JOJO WICKENS
Representing sponsor Light Elegance UK
Award-winning nail tech, Light Elegance dean of students & co-founder of LePhine Pro, plus LE UK co-owner & head of education.
STEVEY POWELL
Business strategy, mindset & manifestation coach for hair and beauty professionals.
CLARE WOODCOCK
Scratch Stars Ultimate Mobile Nailist & founder of The Nail Club, a mobile nail business covering Surrey.
HAZEL DIXON
Representing sponsor HD Pro Nails logo
Most decorate Scratch Stars Awards winner, product developer & owner of HD Professional Nail Systems, academy founder & nail product distributor.
SHARON SANDHU
Representing sponsor Gelish
Head of commercial at Nail Alliance UK, with experience in hair and beauty product development, marketing and commercial activity.
ELLA FIGGITT
Representing sponsor ABT Howden
Marketing executive at ABT – part of Howden, beauty insurance and membership provider.
POALA TAYLOR-RIDDICK
Representing sponsor Vodex
Owner & director of dust and fume extraction company, Vodex Ltd, & former business coach.
SAMANTHA SWEET
Representing sponsor Sweet Squared
Co-founder of product & education provider, Sweet Squared, communications expert & recipient of the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2023, alongside husband, Samuel.
RICHARD MCCABE
Salon owner turned coach & founder of consultancy, Lifestyle Salon Coach, plus Scratch columnist & founder of SAAM: the Salon AI Automation Management Machine.
JESSICA CRANE
Business mentor, wealth strategist & CEO/founder of SheEO Collective®, a company that empowers individuals – including salon owners – to build, lead and conquer.
KATIE GODFREY
Award-winning business strategist, international speaker, podcast host & author, specialising in the hair, beauty and aesthetics sectors.
ZOYA MAC
Nail content creator & educator, plus provider of one-to-one training and content workshops.
CHARLI JEPSON
Representing Glitterbels
Former head of education for Glitterbels, international judge & Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2018.
IAN ARCHBOLD
Beauty industry trade show director, B2B growth specialist, sales expert & business consultant.
MARIAN NEWMAN BEM
Esteemed nail expert, consultant, educator & former session nail stylist, plus author of multiple industry textbooks, including The Complete Nail Technician.
SEAN O'SULLIVAN
Nail competition director & administrator, plus education expert & assessor.
JACQUI O'SULLIVAN
Award-winning nail tutor, judge & competition director, & recipient of the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2015.