A TALENTED barber is set to show off his skills to hundreds of other professionals and has been shortlisted for two top awards.

Ken Hermes says he is looking forward to showing the world what he can do after being invited to take part in an international exhibition.

Ken, 31, of Abels Road, Halstead, has been a professional barber for more than a decade and has worked in London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas and Ipswich.

The barber started his career at the Dales Hair Salon on Halstead High Street and returned there in March part time.

At the Halstead barbers, Ken, who is also a passionate mental health campaigner following the death of his father, Kenneth, in 2006, offered customers a listening ear so they can talk about their problems while he cuts their hair.

Now the barber is set to show the world what he can do after being invited to take part in Salon International.

Gazette: Ken could be named Barber of the YearKen could be named Barber of the Year

The event is an annual exhibition hosted by the Hairdressers Journal at the London Excel.

Ken will be cutting on the Modern Barber stage on October 17 in what he describes as a “career defining moment”.

He will be asked to demonstrate his skills to potentially hundreds of other professionals and students.

As well as the exhibition, Ken has also been shortlisted for two top awards.

He says the largest of the two awards is Barber Of The Year in the Salon Awards.

Ken is a finalist in this category and will be attending the award ceremony on November 21.

The second is the UK Hair and Beauty awards, in which Ken is a finalist for Barber Of The Year.

Ken said: “Shooting a hair collection worthy of entering awards was a huge dream, but placing in the finals has exceeded any expectation I had of myself.

“I really stepped out of my comfort zone and couldn’t be prouder to have the culmination of my career so far being recognised.

“I’ve attended Salon International every year from back when I was a barbering student, and always watched the Modern Barber stage with a keen eye.

“To be seen as good enough to appear on stage at the London Excel is an absolute honour. I hope I can help other barbers and hairdressers gain confidence in beard sculpting and put my years of study and practice to use.”