British Beauty Council launches to define & shape the industry

The British Beauty Council has launched to represent the voices, opinions and needs of the British beauty industry.

It is committed to developing excellence and growth in a sector that is a significant contributor to the British economy and represents all areas of the beauty industry – from nails and hairdressing to cosmetics, cosmetic surgery, therapy and spa. It also represents education and training, formulation to manufacture, supply, logistics packaging, design, retail and media.

The British Beauty Council has been founded by five respected industry advocates – Jane Boardman, chairman; Millie Kendall MBE, CEO; Catherine Handcock, development director; Kate Shapland, content director and Anna-Marie Solowij, who also sits on the advisory board. The not-for-profit, inclusive organisation works to engage politicians and business leaders about the value of British beauty to the national economy and its key role in the UK’s creative and cultural character.

Its ambition is to ensure that the beauty industry is recognised and valued at all levels of government, through the wider economy and by consumers.

“We believe that the British beauty industry currently has neither the reputation nor the representation it deserves,” cites Jane Boardman, chairman. “We have big ambitions to ensure that this astonishingly underserved industry gets recognition, opportunities and support for growth worthy of its significant contribution to the UK economy.”

Thought to employ around a million people, some reports put the value of the UK beauty sector at being worth nearly £18 billion “Until now, however, there has been no comprehensive representation of the specific needs and voices of this valuable business, which incorporates many sectors including a wide range of product and service categories,” relays a spokesperson for the council.

“The British Beauty Council has been established to address that, acting as a forum to represent the whole industry so that the sector is fully recognised and valued at all levels: by policy makers, the wider economy, existing and potential employees and consumers.

“The British Beauty Council works within an ethical framework to represent the interests of the whole sector irrespective of age, ability, gender, race, religion or culture.”

The advisory board, which includes Marian Newman and Sharmadean Reid MBE from the nail sector, has been created to fulfil a vital role in determining the initiatives that underpin the British Beauty Council’s three guiding pillars – reputation, innovation and education – through which it will focus its energy and the support provided by organisations, individuals and global influencers.

These people will sit alongside other industry professionals and 10 founding patrons, and together represent the spectrum of the beauty industry. Meeting twice a year in London, the board will help guide the council’s work.

The first initiative being set in motion is a pioneering report into the size and impact of the British beauty industry on the UK economy, and the board will also provide input into creating a definition of the industry, which will act as a precursor to the report.

Sign up to discover more about the British Beauty Council here, and offer your opinions on the beauty industry by taking party in the British Beauty Council’s survey. CLICK HERE.

All photos courtesy of Lezli & Rose.