TheIndustry.beauty Awards Winners' Interview: Anabel Kindersley, CEO and co-owner, Neal's Yard Remedies

In this series, TheIndustry.beauty continues to celebrate the achievements of the winning brands from TheIndustry.beauty Awards 2025 through a collection of dedicated interviews.

With the Awards dedicated to 'The Innovators' of the industry, we set out to uncover the forward-thinking strategies behind their success. From our winners, we discover everything from the importance of innovation and the trends influencing the next wave of beauty to the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the sector today.

Anabel Kindersley is the co-owner of Neal’s Yard Remedies, a British beauty and wellbeing brand renowned for its commitment to natural and organic skincare and bodycare products. The brand is celebrated not only for its effective, clean formulations but also for its strong ethical ethos, which includes cruelty-free practices, environmental sustainability, and numerous charitable initiatives supporting health, education, and social causes worldwide.

In an exclusive interview with TheIndustry.beauty, Kindersley speaks about the core values that drive Neal's Yard Remedies, why the brand prioritises charitable initiatives, the impact of being recognised for Sustainability & Purpose at TheIndustry.beauty Awards, and more.

What are the core values that drive Neal's Yard Remedies and how are they reflected in the business?

Our brand is built on three fundamental pillars: Pure, Powerful, and Proven.

Pure relates to our sourcing. We were the very first beauty brand to achieve organic certification, working closely with the Soil Association in the 90s to help create the very first beauty standards in the industry. We’re proud to maintain a global network of farmers and growers, some of whom we’ve worked with for over 30 years, who share our commitment to sourcing with care and integrity.

Powerful encompasses not just our potent, tried-and-tested formulations that harness the true power of natural ingredients, but also our powerful advocacy work. We've been at the forefront of environmental campaigns for decades – our Stand By Bees campaign that I’ve been leading to protect pollinators is just one example of how we use our platform to drive meaningful change.

Proven reflects our commitment to demonstrating that you don't need to compromise ethics for efficacy; we invest in clinical studies to provide our customers with proof that our products really do drive results. And, after 44 years of trusted skincare and wellbeing solutions, we're proven by the wonderful reviews we receive from our global community, and the loyalty of customers who've experienced the results.

Can you discuss the brand's progression over the years? What are the key factors that have contributed to its success?

Our journey has been one of purposeful evolution. We began as a small, visionary natural apothecary in Covent Garden in the 1980s and have grown into the global beauty and wellbeing brand that we are today.

We've maintained that pioneering spirit – never standing still, always innovating, but always with purpose – which has been key to our success. We've placed the planet and its people at the heart of everything we do, which wasn't just trendy rhetoric decades ago, it was genuinely revolutionary thinking.

Our unwavering commitment to ethically sourced, certified organic ingredients has been fundamental, as has our pioneering approach to sustainability. But perhaps most importantly, we've built deep trust with our customers through transparency - something that we've nurtured for decades. Our 44 years of knowledge in natural ingredients, aromatherapy and remedies allows our customers to feel empowered to choose the right products to suit their beauty and wellbeing needs. This holistic approach has created incredibly loyal customers who see us as partners in their wellbeing journey, not just another beauty brand.

How does Neal's Yard Remedies champion sustainability, and why is this commitment important?

Sustainability has been in our DNA since day one. It's never been a marketing strategy for us - it's always been a given as a business to do the right thing. In fact, we were the very first beauty brand to achieve a 100/100 ethics score in The Good Shopping Guide, a score which we’ve maintained consistently for 12 years.

This stretches the entirety of the product life cycle – from our dedication to third-party certification and the strong, lasting relationships we've built with growers worldwide, to our award-winning eco-factory in Dorset where we create 96% of our products – with acres of organic gardens growing many of the ingredients which travel just meters to be pressed and bottled. This level of control and meeting rigorous certification standards allows us to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve for quality products produced with the planet at its heart.

Biodiversity protection is a true cornerstone of our sustainability work – for us, it’s about using our voice to make change happen. Through the Stand By Bees campaign, where I led a coalition of over 100 businesses in continuous lobbying, the government rejected a further emergency application to use the bee-killing pesticide Cruiser SB, banning it from British land earlier this year. It’s a victory we’re incredibly proud of.

This commitment to sustainability matters arguably more than ever in face of the climate crisis. The beauty industry has a significant environmental footprint, and with climate change accelerating, brands have a responsibility to be part of the solution, not the problem. Customers are increasingly conscious about their choices and deserve brands that they can trust to provide them with genuine, measurable impact.

Why does Neal's Yard Remedies prioritise charitable initiatives, and can you highlight some of its most impactful campaigns?

Charitable work provides a tangible way to make real change happen. It's one thing to talk about protecting the planet and its people but supporting causes that align with our mission allows us to put our resources where our principles are.

For over a decade, we’ve donated 3% from every sale of our Bee Lovely collection to bee-friendly charities such as the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Bees for Development; we’re delighted that through these sales we’ve raised over £350,000 and helped to save over 50 million bees. The impact that this has for our planet and communities is substantial – Bees for Development support sustainable livelihoods in deprived and remote communities by sharing beekeeping skills to provide reliable, sustainable incomes.

Our work extends to grass roots organisations that are doing true on-the-ground that are driving change at the community level. For three years running, we've donated 1% of our Black Friday sales to the Nature Friendly Farming Network, supporting their vital work in promoting regenerative farming practices across the UK. We've also partnered with Grow to Know, with donations going towards their incredible work in transforming urban spaces into pollinator-friendly gardens, bringing nature directly into communities that need it most.

What was the significance of winning the Sustainability & Purpose award?

Of huge significance. This recognition is testament to the hard work our teams carry out daily and showcases that commitment to core values always prevails. The award reflects not just our current efforts, but decades of consistent commitment to operating ethically and sustainably, something we’ll never rest on our laurels about.

What do you think are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the beauty sector today?

One of the biggest opportunities lies in collaboration; working together as an industry to drive meaningful change and accelerate shared knowledge, combined with the growing consumer demand for natural and organic products that actually deliver results. This coming together creates incredible potential for innovation, such as further investment in biotechnology and green chemistry, allowing us to unlock new possibilities for what we can offer our customers while maintaining our commitment to natural ingredients.

However, one of the industry's greatest challenges remains packaging waste – with 95% of cosmetic packaging currently being discarded after use, we face an urgent sustainability crisis. We're tackling this head-on by using glass wherever possible, de-cartoning many of our products, using carbon-neutral black lids for ease of at-home recycling, and partnering with TerraCycle in all of our UK stores for customers’ hard-to-recycle items. But there's much more work to be done, which is why collaboration is so crucial.

I'm proud to serve on the advisory committee of the Sustainable Beauty Coalition, where we're working collectively to address these industry-wide challenges. The opportunities are immense, but only if we're willing to prioritise long-term sustainability over short-term convenience.

What does it mean to be an innovator in the beauty industry today?

Being an innovator in the industry means creating personalised and intuitive products that truly enhance our whole being - it's encouraging to see the industry moving towards this holistic approach. We're seeing categories become more interconnected than ever, delivering multi-sensory experiences and results that consumers increasingly seek. For us, we're continuing to build on our deep-rooted expertise in apothecary and aromatherapy to drive new innovation across our collections, with potent natural actives and clinically validated formulations providing our customers with transformative results.

What trends are influencing the next wave of innovation in beauty?

Aromachology is particularly exciting; the scientific study of how fragrance affects mood and behaviour. We're seeing growing recognition that scent isn't just about smelling good, but about emotional wellbeing and mental health support – something that we’ve been sharing with our customers since the very beginning.

We continue to drive education on these holistic benefits through products like our Frankincense Intense collection - we conducted breakthrough clinical research into the therapeutic benefits of this ancient ingredient, which showed that after three weeks of use frankincense promoted a sense of relaxation, calm and wellbeing.

How does Neal's Yard Remedies maintain its position as a leader in the industry? What strategies are critical to staying ahead of competitors and meeting consumer demand?

For us, being a leader in the industry in the means staying deeply connected to both our customers and our values, prioritising long-term customer relationships over quick sales, whilst anticipating where the industry is heading. It’s about being comfortable in the uncomfortable to continue to make impact - whether that’s reformulating a best-selling product because we know we can make it more efficacious and sustainable, or being transparent to our audience about challenges in our supply chain. It’s about not being afraid to use our voice to influence change in the industry and wider environment for the better.

Our strategy is driven by innovation whilst staying true to our DNA. We don't chase every trend, but we do listen carefully to our customers and invest in research that advances both efficacy and sustainability. Staying ahead means being authentic to who you are while remaining relevant to who your customers are becoming.

What can customers expect from Neal's Yard Remedies over the next year?

Well, it’s an exciting one as we’re turning 45 years old! Expect newness across skincare and bodycare amongst some of our most loved collections, as well as entering a new category…watch this space!

As the presenter of the Sustainability & Purpose Award, Noatum Logistics shares valuable insights into how the company is leveraging technology and automation to enhance supply chain visibility and operational efficiency. We also took the opportunity to ask about key trends shaping global logistics - and what brands should be doing now to prepare for the future.

How does Noatum Logistics Logistics work with brands?

Noatum Logistics partners with leading cosmetics and designer labels as a true extension of their team, uncovering growth opportunities and smoothing out supply chain complexity for brands and retailers at every stage of their development. For example, when a fast-growing beauty brand needed to launch a new skincare range in Australia, Noatum Logistics managed global supplier coordination, secured regulatory approvals, and delivered 25,000 kilos of product on time, making the difference between a successful market launch and costly delays.

For a popular designer, Noatum Logistics unified fragmented operations from multiple legacy providers into a single, tech-enabled fulfilment hub, increasing throughput by 85% and reducing inventory holdings, enabling the designer to focus on creativity and customer connection without operational headaches. Noatum Logistics’s expert teams develop tailored supply chain solutions that flex for seasonal peaks, new markets, omnichannel expansion, and rapid product launches. Their hands-on approach, whether onboarding super users for team training or executing live service migrations with zero disruption, builds lasting trust and empowers brands to scale with confidence.

How is Noatum Logistics leveraging technology and automation to optimise supply chain visibility and efficiency?

Noatum's PowerVIEW platform sits at the heart of every client partnership, offering end-to-end visibility and live control from purchase order to last-mile delivery. For instance, a renowned cosmetics label struggled with inbound shipment silos and unpredictable costs; Noatum Logistics’s platform integrated their vendors, automated critical controls, and cut airfreight spend by over 80%, leading to a 48% reduction in CO2 emissions and a dramatic drop in per-unit cost.

Beauty and designer brands benefit from real-time inventory transparency down to individual SKU item level, making batch recalls, regulatory compliance, and multi-channel fulfilment seamless. Automated sortation and robotics ensure rapid e-commerce pick-and-pack, later cut-offs for next-day delivery, and high-volume accuracy above 99.8%, crucial in peak seasons or during headline launches. By blending local expertise with global tech, Noatum Logistics transforms the supply chain from a cost centre into a strategic asset for growth.

What steps is Noatum Logistics taking to reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable logistics practices?

Noatum Logistics embeds sustainability through its certified N-CAP Carbon Control programme, pioneering supply chain design, emissions measurement, and offsetting within every logistics solution.

Specialised carbon control tools model, report, and offset global supply chain emissions to ISO14067 standards. For one leading designer brand known for new launches at international trade fairs, Noatum Logistics optimised transport modes and raised container utilisation by 20% while slashing CO2 output by nearly a third, without sacrificing speed to market.

Noatum Logistics’s approach isn’t just about lower emissions; dedicated Environmental Officer roles, LED and EV infrastructure at key facilities, and credible offset projects (such as supporting clean water and reforestation) go hand-in-hand with paperless processes and circular initiatives. Regular carbon reporting and transparent modelling, that complies fully with the ISO14067 environment standard allow brands to credibly monitor their Scope 3 emissions, helping them meet consumer demands and global retailer standards, while protecting their reputations and environmental credentials.

What trends are you seeing in global logistics that beauty brands should be preparing for?

Beauty logistics is in flux - driven by bold innovation, rising expectations, and changing regulation. Major trends Noatum Logistics sees daily:

Omnichannel agility: Successful brands expect fast onboarding onto new D2C channels, flexible order routing, and late cut-offs, transforming the supply chain from static to dynamic and responsive.

Transparency and traceability: As seen with a growing beauty brand expanding to the US and Australia, live audit trails at item level and temp-controlled storage aren’t just regulatory necessities, they’re market differentiators for quality and compliance.

Compliance complexity: Global expansion brings health, safety, customs, and sustainability standards requiring expert logistics partners that guide every step. Noatum Logistics has repeatedly fast-tracked product registrations and DC openings to beat regulatory hurdles and customer timelines.

Volatility and resilience: Launches, Instagram-driven flash sales, or global promotions demand logistics that can rapidly scale. For a premium designer, Noatum Logistics’s modular supply chain activated overflow stock spaces within a month to support an unexpected demand surge, without service or cost disruption.

Sustainability expectations: Consumers want more than lip service. Verified carbon reporting, offset options, and ESG-focused operational changes are now minimum requirements, even for global icons. Noatum Logistics’s experience helping multiple international brands move from fragmented processes to holistic, measurable sustainability is at the leading edge.

By choosing a logistics partner that combines advanced technology, skilled people, and hands-on sustainability with a proven culture of collaboration, brands of any size unlock new possibilities.

For global multinationals, this means scalable platforms that ensure consistent quality and compliance across every market, backed by innovations that secure long-term growth and rapid adaptation to regulatory and consumer shifts. For fast-growing young brands, the right partnership brings flexibility to ramp up quickly for peak demand or new launches, with real-time data and expertise that turn volatility into opportunity. And for start-ups, it’s about having a foundation that supports bold ambitions from day one, letting founders focus on what matters most, while knowing their logistics are future-ready, sustainable, and able to grow with them. In every case, logistics transforms from a challenge into a lever for growth, resilience, and brand promise.

TheIndustry.beauty The Innovators Awards will be back for 2026. Find out more at theindustry.beauty/awards. For sponsorship enquiries, please email partnerships@theindustry.beauty.