Katie Ware has left her old life behind in Australia to discover her family’s heritage in the UK.

Originally from Gladstone in Queensland, the 25-year-old realised her connection with the capital after discovering that her grandad was born here and started to think about the endless possibilities a move to the UK could offer.

Small-town life had lost its appeal to Katie. She had begun to outgrow her hometown and had a yearning for something bigger and better.

Katie now lives in Southfields and is getting to grips with her roots.

“Once I’d found out that I had connections with the UK, my mind was made up - I started looking at flights," she said.

"I think everyone has that moment in their life where they take a step back and evaluate everything that’s going on – it was time for a new challenge."

She took a job at Just Cuts in Southside and has shone from that point on.

“I’ve focused on hairdressing all of my working life, ever since I finished school and went on to do an apprenticeship," she added.

"After that, I went from salon to salon, searching for that next adventure - one which would help me to expand my horizons. The UK suddenly felt like such an appropriate place to start my next journey.”

Magda Deaconescu, the owner of the salon, knows all too well about moving to and settling in a new country.

“I came to the UK 14 years ago, it’s not always smooth sailing but I’ve built my life and business here," Ms Deaconescu said.

"The support Katie has given me with the launch of the salon in Wandsworth has been amazing – she’s really helped us to bring that Australian vibe and it’s given us a boost in appealing to local customers.

"The decision to promote her to team leader was a no-brainer."