MEET THE JUDGES

Dr. Zoe Williams

Dr Zoe Williams MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP graduated from medical school in 2007. She has gained experience in many specialist fields within medicine and currently practices as an NHS General Practitioner. Zoe is a National Advisor to the government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (formerly Public Health England) and has served as a clinical advisor to the RCGP, and is one of the resident Doctors on ITV’s This Morning. She has featured as an expert on the BBC’s The One Show, Horizon and Trust Me I’m a Doctor. Zoe specialises in debunking the confusing world of medicine in a fun and entertaining way.

In 2017 Zoe founded the charity Fit4Life, which aims to increase the aspirations of young people by providing mentors and co-creating physical activity programmes with them.

As one of the countries most valued professionals in lifestyle medicine and physical activity, Zoe’s expertise has seen her working as an advisor to the UK Health Security Agency, the NHS and the Royal College of GPs, as well as some of the UK’s largest brands including BUPA, Garmin, Estee Lauder, Elastoplast and Tesco.

In 2023 Zoe launched her own healthcare podcast series, ‘The Doctor Will Hear You Now’, in which she speaks with celebrities who are affected by common health conditions. By increasing knowledge and understanding the podcast’s aim has been to create empathy and kindness and help to quash stigma.

Zoe has written for numerous publications on health, fitness and diet including Marie Claire, Stylist, Hello and Waitrose Magazine. She currently has a weekly column in The Sun and her debut book, ‘You Grow Girl’, reached #1 in Amazon’s Children’s best seller list in June 2023.

Joy Adenuga

Joy Adenuga is a celebrity make-up artist, industry expert, educator and personality.

Joy has a celebrity client base including India Amarteifio, Golda Rosheuvel, Leigh-Ann Pinnock, Corinna Brown, Wunmi Mosaku and many more. She works regularly on celebrity press junkets with Netflix, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, Paramount and Sony Music, among others.

She has hosted teaching Events with Sephora, Haus Labs, Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown and Smashbox Cosmetics (to name a few), and collaborated with beauty brands including Armani Beauty, Haus Labs and No7.

Alice Hart-Davis

Alice Hart-Davis is a journalist with 25+ years’ experience writing about skincare and cosmetic treatments for UK national press. The award-winning writer is the founder of thetweakmentsguide.com, an online encyclopaedia of independent information about non-surgical procedures like fillers and lasers that’s now a leading UK site for trusted advice. She’s an ambassador for the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) and for MelanomaUK, is on the press advisory board of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAPPS) and also on the policy advisory committee of the British Beauty Council.

Robert Welsh

Robert Welsh is a renowned professional make-up artist, celebrated for his expert knowledge and straightforward approach to beauty. With a keen eye for detail, Robert is committed to putting products to the test, ensuring only the best make it into his recommendations. Robert is also known for challenging trends and offering honest, unbiased reviews, earning him a reputation for transparency and trustworthiness within the beauty community. His tutorials not only focus on mastering make-up application but also provide invaluable insights into the subtleties of different products and techniques. Over the past year Robert’s expertise and influence has led to several successful brand partnerships, and in particular a recent sell-out beauty box collaboration with global K-beauty brand Fwee.

James Welsh

James Welsh is a renowned skincare expert, celebrated for his insightful, educational approach and thorough product analysis. His passion for skincare goes far beyond the basics, as he delves deep into the science behind each product, offering his audience a comprehensive understanding of how to achieve healthy, radiant skin. A true advocate of Korean skincare, James expertly blends the innovative techniques of this globally renowned skincare regime into his content. His dedication to educating and empowering his followers has made him a trusted authority in the skincare world, with a loyal following across all major social platforms.

Carl Bembridge

Carl is a well-known celebrity hairstylist who has built a reputable name for himself due to his outstanding hairstyling skills on both UK & US celebrities. This is demonstrated by his day-to-day work with celebrities and on red carpets, campaigns, photo shoots and music videos – which regularly make hair headlines! Carl’s passion for hairstyling involves, working with A-list clients and his very own brand of Carl Bembridge Pro kit essentials, which create newsworthy, eye-catching red carpet looks.

Debbie Rix

Debbie Rix is Chief Executive Officer of the Health & Beauty Association, bringing to the role a distinguished 35-year career leading iconic consumer goods businesses across personal care, beauty, and apparel. A seasoned General Manager and transformational leader, she has held senior level roles at some of the world’s most recognised branded consumer goods companies, including Kao Corporation, Revlon and Sara Lee, working in the UK, Europe and the US.

A former Chair of the CTPA (Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association) and Vice Chair of cancer charity Look Good Feel Better, Debbie combines deep commercial expertise with a strong commitment to the health and beauty sector and the people within it.

Emily Hunter

With over a decade’s experience as a beauty editor and ten years of The Beauty Awards under her belt, Emily constantly has her eyes open for the next big thing in beauty and is excited to chair the judging panel for The Beauty Awards 2026.

Dionne Smith

Dionne Smith is a globally acclaimed celebrity hairstylist, Cosmopolitan UK’s Freelance Contributing Expert, and an industry trailblazer whose award-winning artistry has graced the BAFTAs, Emmys, major fashion weeks, and top publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, while styling elite clients such as Golda Rosheuvel, Natasha Rothwell and Teyonah Paris and collaborating with brands like Dyson, L’Oréal and GHD to drive beauty innovation.

Dr. Sophie Shotter

Dr. Sophie Shotter hit the aesthetics scene twelve years ago, and has built a commendable reputation amongst her peers as a global expert aesthetics trainer and commendable injector, as well as gathering numerous awards for her medical expertise and business acumen, winning the most coveted of awards in 2023 – Medical Aesthetics Practitioner of the Year and winning awards in 2019/2020 for Illuminate – Best Clinic South England.

Starting out as an anaesthetist, Dr. Sophie first took a keen interest in aesthetics in 2012. Today, Dr. Sophie has personally administered more than 30,000 treatments to date.

She is President of BCAM, a charity that exists to advance safe and ethical aesthetic medicine for the benefit of medical practitioners and members of the public.

Dr. Sophie specialises in ageing well, with  expertise in aesthetic medicine, as well as training in BHRT and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology. She is currently studying for an MBA with Imperial, London.

Jay Birmingham

Jay Birmingham is a Midlands and London based stylist who has, in a few short years, combined his session styling with salon work and become one of the most sought after session stylists in the UK and wider hairdressing world.

Jay is in high demand for bookings, with celebrity clients including Maya Jama, Alex Scott, Khloe Kardashian and Eva Longoria, to name a few. He also has worked at London Fashion Week and works alongside a host of major brands. Jay has immersed himself hosting a series of tutorials and styling master classes along with hosting Glam Squad events in Manchester and Glasgow.

Jay first trained in Mayfair, London for three years where his passion for the hairdressing industry was ignited. Gaining an insight into editorial hairdressing as well as realising his passion for styling and bridal hair, Jay began to build his own clientele, amongst whom were a number of celebrities. Jay then moved back to his hometown of Birmingham and as his career developed he found his feet as a session stylist and global bridal hairdresser, being flown all over the world for celebrity weddings, using the renowned brand Beauty Works for his exceptional hair extensions and creative wig making.

Jay regularly works with publications including OK, Hello, The Daily Mail and Glamour, as well as brand collaborations with ASOS, GHD, Space NK, Tatcha, Jo Malone and Olaplex, and as a brand ambassador for Beauty Works, Jay Birmingham is continuing to make his mark on the world of hairdressing.

Madeleine Spencer

Madeleine Spencer is a journalist and broadcaster who has contributed to titles including The Times, Grazia, Glamour, InStyle, The Independent, Stylist and The London Standard, as well as offering commentary for the BBC, Sky News and ITV, focussing on beauty, wellness, travel, and interviews.

She is keen on exploring the significance beauty rituals, products, and memories have on people from different walks of life, and enters into conversation on the topic with guests on her podcast, Beauty Full Lives. Said guests have included Kylie Minogue, Nicola Benedetti, Kristen Bell, Clarissa Ward, Sadie Frost and Joy Crookes.

Outside of beauty and wellness, Madeleine splits her time between writing creatively, reading and reading and reading. She also shares tips on everything from the best wellness retreats to finding the perfect mascara on her Instagram.