The creative director of a Stafford hairdressing group’s advanced academy has won a top industry award.

Michelle Thompson from Francesco Group received the title of Northern Hairdresser of the Year at the prestigious WAHL/Black Beauty and Hair Awards 2008.

The star-studded event, sponsored by Avlon which makes Afro-Caribbean hair products, was held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London on Sunday. The evening is one of the premier events in the Afro-Caribbean hairdressing calendar and attracts the cream of the hairdressing industry, as well as celebrities and editors of top hair, beauty and fashion magazines.

Michelle successfully saw off tough competition from some of the top Afro-Caribbean hairdressers in the country and wowed judges with her spectacular photographic collection, which will now be circulated through all the top trade and commercial hair and beauty magazines.

This latest accolade marks Michelle’s continued success. She is a key contributor to top trade publications, winner of the Golden Scissors Award, the Colourist of the Year Award and was nominated for Afro-Caribbean Stylist of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards last month.

Michelle commented, “I am completely over the moon. Winning Northern Stylist of the Year is such a massive achievement for me. I loved putting the collection together, it was hard work, but definitely worthwhile.”

Francesco Group’s Managing Director, Ben Dellicompagni said: “Michelle is going from strength to strength, the work she is producing is inspirational and she should be immensely proud of such a fantastic achievement.”