Kelty barber sheds Lidl job and wins Apprentice Barber of the Year

After leaving a corporate job and making the decision to follow his barbering dream, Adam Sawyers, 30, was delighted with the recognition at the recent Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards ceremony.

The former Beath High pupil checked out on an eight-year spell working as a project manager for Lidl to train as a barber at the Sovereign Grooming Academy in Edinburgh last year.

Adam Sawers with his best apprentice award. (Image: Myke Black photography)

"I have always been creative. I did musical theatre as a kid and I have always had an interest in men's fashion," he explained.

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"I was the generation – I am not old but at 30, when I was at high school, you picked your subjects based on what you want to do."

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with an honours degree in business and marketing, Adam took up a post with Lidl.

"I did their graduate scheme. I worked in Germany for two and a half years then London for a year. Then I took a break. I was thinking about my next move and that is when I discovered the Sovereign Academy."

Adam Sawers' award winning design which saw him named as Scottish Apprentice Barber of the Year. (Image: Richard Frew photography)

After completing a 15 week intense course at the academy, Adam gained the necessary qualifications to ply his trade and moved to one of the company's salons in Aberdeen.

He developed his skills and experience and was soon nominated for the best apprentice Scotland.

"The business puts you forward and for a month it is open to public voting so colleagues, peers and clients can vote then that goes on for a month and the finalists are announced in May. It was me and four other guys," he explained.

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"Following that, I had to organise a photoshoot and a model to do a hair cut. That had to be submitted by the end of July then they mark you and on the night they announce the winner.

"I was delighted to win it. My main thing was I am very ambitious. I went in wanting to win. I was not expecting it but was wanting it. I had turned 30 and had worked in corporate for eight years. I had sacrificed a lot, moved about, relocated. It would prove everything worked out.

"I was very happy with what I had submitted as my entry and the talent (of the other finalists) was off the scale so to win was incredible."

The success comes as Adam prepares to make the next step in his career as he leaves Sovereign Grooming to take up a post at Rag and Bone Barber's shop in Edinburgh's Dundas Street.

"It was perfect for Sovereign to say even though you are moving on, he trained with us, won the award and now is going to Edinburgh. It is a perfect ending," added Adam.