British Beauty Council and Sephora UK announce winners of student mentorship programme
The British Beauty Council has announced the winners of its mentorship programme in partnership with Sephora UK and UNiDAYS, created to support and spotlight the next generation of beauty industry leaders.
After a nationwide selection process - where applicants were asked to pitch their future-facing beauty solutions across topics including innovation and technology, sustainability, creativity, marketing and science - five winners have been chosen to form the inaugural Student Beauty Shadow Board.
The winners are students studying a range of subjects from cosmetic and pharmaceutical science to digital marketing and communications. These include:
- Ojoachenyo Onuh - Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Bethany Cookson - Marketing
- Rachel Igwe - MSc Cosmetic Science
- Penelope Helbest - Media & Communication
- Tyrese Walters - Digital Marketing in Fashion
"If my 16 year old self could see me now, she would be elated! This opportunity is deeply personal to me - a chance to champion meaningful beauty inclusivity where it's most visible - in stores," Igwe said.
The winners will each receive a £3,000 grant and gain access to exclusive mentorship opportunities through a curated programme of industry events, networking experiences, and expert guidance.
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council said: "We are so delighted to be welcoming the winners of the Student Shadow Board competition to their first industry workshop, where they will have 1:1 mentorship with industry leaders.
"I have had the pleasure of watching all of the winning submissions and they all showcased a unique and fresh approach to some of the key challenges facing the industry. I am excited to see the development of the Shadow Board over the next year."
Sabina Ellahi, Head of PR & Communications at Sephora UK, added: "Inspiring doesn't even begin to describe the types of entries we received for the Student Shadow Board - the calibre of entries showed how much passion the students had not only just for breaking into the beauty industry but also being a part of the movement to drive meaningful change in the industry.
"What was most impressive was seeing how the students intersected the many facets and verticals of the industry with their line of studies, highlighting so many skill sets, expertise and knowledge at the forefront. We are excited to spend time with the students and further guide their vision so they can confidently step foot into this fast-paced and ever-evolving world of beauty."
