I was delighted and honoured to be voted The Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser’s Hairdresser of the Year.

The Guy Kremer Salon has been in Winchester for 45 years, so to still be at the top after all these years is wonderful.

This award is voted for by the public, so to think that my clients value me and my team in that way is very humbling, especially when we were up against such illustrious competition. I never take anything for granted, and it’s very special to have such recognition.

My fabulous, hard-working team come from all over the world so we offer something a little bit special – and working on fashion shoots and catwalk shows allows them to keep up with all the latest trends.

The exclusive L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Portfolio represents some of the UK’s most progressive, successful and forward-thinking salons and it was an honour to be invited to join their gathering at The Corinthia Hotel in London to meet retail guru Mary Portas.

Mary believes we are entering a new era of consumerism called The Kindness Economy, where high street growth is driven by excellent service and knowledge that can’t be replicated online. To highlight the role that hairdressing will play in this new environment, I shared the positives I’ve taken from the past 18 months and the steps I’ve had to take to restart.

It was wonderful to be with other industry professionals to exchange views – and it was fabulous to talk to Mary. She is a very formidable and forthright businesswoman, but I like to think my rich life experience equipped me to hold my own in her company!

We’re all looking forward to Christmas in the salon. We have planned a staff party at The Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton, which will be a chance for everyone to let their hair down after a tough couple 18 months, and then I will head home to France, where I will spend the festive season with friends.

Joyeux Noel!