In Conversation: Caroline Hirons, Liz Griffiths, Leighton Denny, in their own words
April brought together a diverse mix of voices shaping the beauty and wellness landscape, from industry veterans to innovative entrepreneurs and scientific pioneers.
Across skincare, haircare, aesthetics and fragrance, this month’s interviews reveal a common thread: a shift toward purpose-driven products, professional credibility and long-term trust.
Here’s a closer look at the discussions, with links to read more.
The Interview: Caroline Hirons and Michelle Hindmarch of Skin Rocks on the power of the Pro market
"I've made every single product with facials in mind; it's just that we did retail first. Every product we've ever made has gone through third-party clinical trials, and every product has to have a goal, has to have a reason to exist." - Caroline Hirons.
Having climbed to the very pinnacle of the beauty industry, Caroline Hirons has not forgotten where she started and wants to share her success with as many people as possible. One way she aims to achieve this is through the Skin Rocks Pro Academy. In this interview, Hirons and Head of Business Development Michelle Hindmarch discuss the creation of Skin Rocks Pro and its Academy, prioritising long-term trust over rapid growth, limiting retail to protect partners and building a brand rooted in integrity.
The Interview: GHD UK boss Liz Griffiths on 25 years of innovation and the future of hair tools
"We're designed by pros, tested by pros and trusted by pros - and that combination of scientific rigour and professional insight keeps GHD ahead as we continue to elevate our porfolio with new, high-performance innovations." - Liz Griffiths.
Another standout leader making her mark in the industry is Liz Griffiths, UK Managing Director of haircare giant GHD, who is set to step into the role of Chief Growth Officer this July. Currently overseeing one of GHD’s largest markets, she shares her perspective on the brand’s enduring success, the major shifts shaping the industry and how the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary milestone.
The Interview: Dr Mica Engel of Cosmetica London on creating balance in aesthetics, skincare, business and life
"What’s becoming much more exciting now is what we can do to support the skin, tissues and ageing process from within, in a way that is smarter, more preventative and much more aligned with longevity medicine." - Dr Mica Engel.
Also finding success in the UK is aesthetic doctor Dr Mica Engel, based at Cosmetica London in Balham. Originally trained as a GP and A&E doctor in Brazil, she moved to London for postgraduate studies in aesthetics. Although she planned to return to Brazil, she stayed in the UK and has now built a 20-year career running her own aesthetics practice, combining medical expertise with advanced technology and holistic treatments. Engel discusses her career journey and trends shaping the industry.
How I started in beauty: Abi Cleeve, MD Ultrasun UK, owner SBC Skincare and founder SkinSense
"For me, beauty has never just been about the glamour. It has always been about problem-solving. If you can genuinely improve someone’s skin, you improve how they feel day to day. It’s actually incredibly powerful." - Abi Cleeve.
Another skincare powerhouse, Abi Cleeve discovered beauty by accident after a chance visit to a Swiss pharmacy led her to Ultrasun. So impressed, she left a retail career to launch the brand in the UK in 1997 with nothing but ambition and a copy of the Yellow Pages. She went on to become a familiar face on QVC, championing SPF before it was mainstream. In 2017, she launched SkinSense and later acquired SBC Skincare. She tells us about her unusual journey into skincare and what she has learnt along the way.
How I started in beauty: Leighton Denny, CEO Leighton Denny Expert Nails
"My route into beauty wasn’t the typical one. I grew up in Bradford and struggled at school because I’m dyslexic, so I was never academic. But I’ve always been a creative, entrepreneurial, and determined to make something of myself." - Leighton Denny.
In another 'How I got started in beauty' feature this month, beauty entrepreneur Leighton Denny shared his remarkable journey into the industry. After a trip to the US in 1991, he made the bold decision to swap fork-lift driving for a career as a nail technician in Yorkshire. A true pioneer in both salon and at-home nail treatments - as well as in TV retail and social media - Denny has become a household name in the beauty world. Having regained control of his brand, Leighton Denny Nails, in 2020, he offers advice for aspiring innovators looking to make their mark in the industry.
The Interview: Master perfumer Daniela Andrier on creating scents without cliché for Miu Miu
"When I was a child, I was already mixing my mother’s fragrances. I was completely obsessed with scent - it was how I perceived the world: people, nature, even the seasons. At the time, I thought everyone experienced the world that way. It’s only later that you realise perception is something deeply personal." - Daniela Andrier.
Making their mark on fragrance, Daniela Andrier, multi-award-winning master perfumer, who is the nose behind many of the most iconic fragrances on the global market, also joined our interview line-up this month. Andrier spoke with our co-founder Lauretta Roberts about her career, her approach to creating fragrance and the story behind Miu Miu's latest launch, a solar fragrance called Fleur de Lait (milk flower).
The Interview: ilā Wellness founder Denise Leicester on creating ilā RegenX and the future of regenerative wellbeing
"For me, the future of wellbeing is not about adding more, but about going deeper - into the intelligence of the body and its capacity to regenerate." - Denise Leicester.
Our other co-founder (and wellness enthusiast) Antony Hawman also sat down this month with Denise Leicester, founder of ilā Wellness and the visionary behind the wellness atelier ilā RegenX. In the interview, Leicester discusses her new space, ilā RegenX, and the distinctive, regenerative treatments it offers.
