A FOURTH-generation barber from Worcester has been named student of the year by his college.

Ed Lloyd works at Rogers Barber Shop in St Johns, a business that was set up in the 1980s by his now-retired grandfather with dad Chris now in charge.

The family’s association with the trade stretches back even further, beginning with Ed's great-grandfather Stanley starting out in his aunt’s front room in Birmingham.

Ed, aged 17, signed up to a Level Two Diploma in Barbering at Evesham College after completing his GCSEs at Christopher Whitehead School in the city and puts to use his formal training into while working alongside his dad and his four other staff.

“I’ve been around the barber shop my whole life so it seemed like the right thing to do to get qualified in the trade,” said Ed.

“Barbering is in my blood and while I’ve never been 100 per cent sure about what I wanted to do after leaving school it was great to know that I had that option of a job in the family business.

“I’ve been working there pretty much full-time since I left school as well as studying at Evesham College. With the pandemic it’s been a really busy and challenging year all round but it’s a good feeling to be rewarded with the Student of the Year award.

“I’m in the process of applying to join the Royal Air Force as a medic so my career may take a twist, much to the annoyance of my mates who think they’re all getting free haircuts for life!”

Mark Bonham, College Director at Evesham College, said: “Ed has shown a constant drive and focus during his time with us.

“His practical work has been exceptional and has developed to a much higher standard than Level 2 because of his previous experience but despite knowing the barbering trade inside out as a result of his family links, he has still showed great humility when getting feedback from the course tutors.

“Throughout the course he has constantly strived to improve himself — he is a testament to his family as their next generation barber, and will without a doubt be extremely successful in whatever he chooses to do in the future.”