British Beauty Council policy expert named in King’s Birthday Honours List
By Helena Biggs | 15 June 2024 | Movers & Shakers, News
Victoria Brownlie, chief of policy & sustainability at the British Beauty Council (BBCo), has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 for services to the beauty and personal care industry.
The Sussex native is to receive an MBE for her work in helping various industries to recognise their worth and ensuring equitable access for minority communities.
In her roles at the British Beauty Council and formerly as director of policy & public affairs at the National Hair & Beauty Federation, she played a vital role in securing £500m of targeted support for the beauty industry in the wake of Covid-19.
Brownlie worked in legislation for animal welfare and the construction industry, alongside Liberal Democrat MP, Annette Brooke, and as a political advisor within Brighton & Hove City Council during the EU Referendum.
On receiving the accolade, Brownlie comments: “It’s an absolute honour to receive such recognition for a role I love and take so much pride in. Much of my life has been spent fighting for the underdog and those often dismissed out of turn, and the industry I represent now is no exception.
“This award gives much-needed recognition for the beauty and personal care sector as a formidable and relevant industry with a lot to say for itself.”
During Victoria’s time at the BBCo, she has secured an earlier reopening of the industry post-lockdown and an £18,000 ‘restart grant’ – a £12,000 increase on the previously proposed grant, which amounted to an additional £350m in total.
Brownlie also launched the Sustainable Beauty Coalition to accelerate the sustainability efforts in the beauty industry, and works with government representatives to support the Race to Net Zero campaign.
She represented the industry at COP26 in Glasgow and works with the UK government on initiatives to support and champion women in the beauty sector and help enable positive social mobility. Brownlie also secured the ban on injectables for under-18s and a government commitment to introduce regulation in the aesthetics sector.
Meribeth Parker, chair of the British Beauty Council, comments: “This well deserved honour reflects the incredible impact that Victoria and the British Beauty Council have had in delivering policy change and impact for the important beauty and personal care industry.
“The sector offers unique career opportunities, supports enhanced wellbeing and an influential impact to the UK’s GDP – thus, we are delighted to see Victoria’s significant contribution rewarded in this way.”