‘I only started about a year and a half ago – it was some journey and I’d never done barbering before’
A Hull dad who quit the police force to become a barber just four months ago has been nominated for two top hairdressing awards. Grant Percival, 30, had been a constable with South Yorkshire for some years, but never felt invested in his job as a long term career.
Longing to find a new vocation he could enjoy and be proud of, he discovered that passion by chance while having his own hair cut. Now, just 18 months after first picking up a set of scissors and clippers and working as a barber full-time for just four months, Grant has been shortlisted as a double finalist at the UK Hair & Beauty Awards 2026, nominated for Best New Talent and HBA Rising Star, identifying him as a top talent in the UK.
Grant, who lives in Cottingham with wife Harriet, 26 and sons Rocco, six, and Luca, 10 months, told how switching careers was a big gamble that has paid off – and how he hopes he’ll be a cut above the rest when he reaches the final in Manchester.
He said: “Leaving the police was probably more scary for Harriet than me. Going self-employed was such a risk, I literally laid it all on the line and spent every penny I had on the equipment I needed to go for it. But the way I see it I couldn’t fail. I had to become good and one of the best in Hull.”
The driven dad-of-two told how he went to last year’s HBAs last year and watched all the winners going up on stage to collect their awards, setting himself a goal then and there to be amongst the finalists at the event in 2026.
He said: “So I feel super happy. To be named a finalist in two national categories so early in my career is an achievement I am extremely proud of – it reflects the passion, precision, and commitment behind my work.
“Being shortlisted is no small feat. The competition attracts tens of thousands of applicants across the UK, making each nomination extremely selective. To receive recognition in two categories at this stage in my career highlights the quality, precision, and dedication required to stand out on a national level.”
He said much thanks goes to his wife. Grant said: “I owe a lot to my family and my missus – I work a lot of hours, sometimes racking up about 70 hours a week – it’s as much recognition for her as it is for me, as she keeps telling me.”
“I only started about a year and a half ago, which is pretty crazy – it was some journey and I’d never done barbering before. I was actually a police officer, a constable with South Yorkshire police, commuting every day.
“I grew up with football and went to Loughborough University on a scholarship but I kind of got lost in the system in football, and didn’t really know what to do. So I went into the police, to try and find what I wanted to do. I knew quite early on in the police that it wasn’t for me. I needed something more practical, something I really enjoy.
“And I always saw my barber, and the way he would talk to his clients, the way he had his shop. I just like the whole aura of it. So I pretty much worked seven days a week for a year, doing free training at the shop – sweeping up, working on models, asking questions. For the first year I only really worked a Saturday because I was working at the force Monday to Friday. That was tough, but I had to put the hours in.”
Slowly but surely he bought all the equipment he needed, graduating from models to actual people to progress his skills. He reduced the number of days he worked in Doncaster with the police force, and eventually left to become a full time barber at Space Male Image’s Cottingham shop four months ago – and he’s never looked back.
“It was a big step. I’m self-employed and based at Space Male Image and it was a big step. I’ve got two kids and a mortgage, so my missus was very unsure. But she saw early on that I had such a passion for it and I’m doing really well. Four months in and I’m fully booked! As soon as she realised ‘ oh he’s not bad at this’ she let me off a little.
“This rapid rise has allowed me to build a career I’m proud of while giving back to my local community and showing what’s possible with determination and hard work.”
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