A SALON-OWNER and self-confessed technophobe has won an inaugural award for innovation.

Kelly Ly, owner of Hob Salons, in Loughton High Road, won the Best Use of Technology Award at the Sapphire Awards hosted at the Dorchester Hotel, in London.

The salon set up shop in 2003 and recently expanded with a new beauty room.

Kelly said: “Having previously been a self-confessed technophobe, it’s great to win an award recognising the leaps and bounds my team and I have made from using a simple manual booking system just a few years ago to mastering the in-salon software system we use today, to give our clients the best service possible.”

The Sapphires were set up by the industry title Salon Business magazine, with the technology award granted to a business showing innovation and success in a difficult climate.