A 24-year-old hairdresser from South Wales has earned recognition as one of Britain’s most promising emerging talents.
Chantelle Gleed has secured a place in the Top 50 for Best New Talent of the Year in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2026.
With more than seven years in the hairdressing sector, she never anticipated that her professional path would lead to such notable success. She expressed pride in this accomplishment, noting that national recognition for something she has worked extremely hard to achieve is difficult to articulate. When she discovered her place in the Top 50, she felt tremendous joy.
Her dedication to hairdressing extends beyond cutting and colouring techniques. She enjoys the opportunity to help individuals feel positive about their appearance, boost their self-assurance and develop styles that allow them to feel like the finest version of themselves. She maintains strong connections with her clients, offering mutual support while preserving a professional dynamic.
In 2023, she represented Wales at an event and earned a silver medal in hairdressing, an achievement that significantly increased her self-belief and inspired her to pursue further advancement in her profession. She continues to prioritise her professional development, recently obtaining a GTi Understanding Menopause qualification to better assist clients dealing with hair and scalp changes associated with the menopause.
Reflecting on her journey, she indicated satisfaction with the hairdresser she has become at 24. While obstacles have appeared along the way, she has consistently strived to use them as drive to persist and enhance her skills. Achieving a Top 50 position represents another stage in her journey rather than a final destination.
She remains committed to her future ambitions and appreciative of the encouragement she has received. She expressed sincere gratitude to every client who has backed her throughout her career, placed trust in her with their hair and enabled her to pursue work she genuinely enjoys daily. She believes exciting developments lie ahead with fresh possibilities on the horizon.