HONOURING INDUSTRY LEADERS
Launched in 2002, our annual Achiever Awards recognise outstanding talent at all levels, and contributions to the beauty industry at large. CEW continues to support women and men within our sector by celebrating their achievements each year – see our most recent Award recipients below.
The Recipients included:
Special Recognition Award: Vasiliki Petrou – CEW Chairwoman and former CEO of Unilever Prestige
With over 30 years of visionary leadership in the beauty industry, Vasiliki has carved a path through some of the world’s most prestigious corporate beauty brands. As the founding CEO of Unilever Prestige, she created a unique luxury division, bringing together renowned brands and empowering each to retain their individual identity within Unilever’s broader corporate framework. Known for pioneering a “new world” culture focused on mental well-being, diversity, and female empowerment, she has set a new industry standard, leading Unilever Prestige with remarkable agility and vision. Recently, she transitioned from her role at Unilever Prestige to focus on investment in beauty, wellness, and longevity—a new chapter in her distinguished career.
Achiever Award: Alice du Parcq, Award-Winning Fragrance Presenter, Expert and Content Creator
Alice du Parcq has redefined how we experience fragrance, bringing her expertise to life through a unique blend of knowledge, creativity, and relatability. A former beauty journalist with a distinguished 20-year career contributing to titles such as Conde Nast Brides, Glamour, and Stylist, Alice made the bold decision in 2018 to channel her focus exclusively into fragrance. Her transition to social media has only amplified her influence, where her accessible, expert content has made her a trusted authority with impressive content-to-sales impact.
Achiever Award: Amanda Morgan, Managing Director of Diptyque UK
With nearly 20 years at the helm of Diptyque’s UK division, Amanda Morgan has played an instrumental role in growing the Parisian fragrance house’s UK presence. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Amanda moved to the UK in 2004 and became Managing Director of Diptyque UK in 2008. Under her leadership, and in close partnership with Diptyque’s Paris headquarters, the brand has expanded from a single store and a team of 25 to six stores and over 120 team members, including the flagship Sloane Street store and the recently launched Maison Diptyque on New Bond Street—London’s largest conceptual Diptyque store and one of only two globally.
Achiever Award: Heela Yang, CEO & Co-Founder of Sol de Janeiro
Since co-founding Sol de Janeiro in 2015 alongside Marc Capra and Camila Pierotti, Heela Yang has transformed the brand into a global leader in body care. Under her visionary leadership, Sol de Janeiro has expanded from its initial three products to a diverse portfolio of over 30, achieving an impressive $1 billion in estimated global retail sales in 2023. Rooted in the belief that beauty is an attitude, not a standard, the brand inspires self-celebration and embodies the warmth of the Brazilian spirit.
Achiever Award: Margaret Mitchell, Chief Commercial Officer at Space NK
Margaret has been a pivotal force at Space NK since joining the company in 2016, where she has held several key roles before becoming Chief Commercial Officer. In her current position, she leads the Category Buying & Merchandising functions, Stores, Online, and Inventory, shaping the retail landscape in the beauty industry. Under her leadership at Space NK, the retailer has successfully launched industry-defining brands such as Drunk Elephant, Rare Beauty, Tatcha, and Glossier, while also cultivating high-growth partnerships with iconic names like Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass, Diptyque, and Sol de Janeiro.
Digital Innovation Award in partnership with SoPost: Estée Lauder Companies
Estée Lauder Companies Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA) app is redefining beauty accessibility, empowering individuals with visual impairments to apply makeup independently. Using advanced AR and AI technology, the VMA provides real-time audio feedback to guide users through their makeup routine—assessing coverage, boundaries, and uniformity. Free to download and compatible with all makeup brands, this innovative tool marks a significant step towards inclusivity in beauty.
Young Achiever Award in partnership with Coty: Katy Cottam – CEO & Founder, Luna Daily
Katy launched Luna Daily during the pandemic, driven by a mission to empower women to connect with their entire bodies through her innovative range of microbiome-friendly body care products —formulated for all skin, including the most intimate areas. With a background at industry leaders L’Oréal and Charlotte Tilbury, Katy left her role as Global Head of Brand to address her frustrations with the outdated and stigmatised ‘feminine hygiene’ category. In just two years, Luna Daily has reshaped the body and intimate care landscape, becoming the first brand of its kind to earn a place in leading retailers including Sephora, Boots, and Cult Beauty.
Special Industry Award: Simon Comins – Chief Commercial Officer at Superdrug
Simon’s incredible journey with Superdrug began at the age of 15 in a local store in Bognor Regis. Now, with 37 years of commitment and experience spanning all areas of the business, he leads as Chief Commercial Officer, guiding commercial, marketing, and CRM teams with vision and expertise. Simon has been instrumental in ensuring Superdrug’s brand presence remains impactful, while overseeing the selection of health and beauty products across more than 800 stores nationwide—solidifying Superdrug’s role as a trusted high street leader.
Special Industry Award: Thierry Cheval – Country Managing Director, L’Oréal UK and Ireland
With an illustrious 20-year career at L’Oréal, Thierry has served in leadership roles across five countries, including France, Australia, Canada, and at the Group’s global headquarters in Paris. Appointed Managing Director of L’Oréal UK & Ireland in 2020, Thierry leads one of the Group’s largest subsidiaries, overseeing 30+ iconic brands including L’Oréal Paris, Lancôme, Maybelline, La Roche Posay and Kérastase. His leadership has reinforced L’Oréal UK & Ireland’s market-leading position while pioneering initiatives across e-commerce, salons, pharmacies, and luxury.
Members’ Achiever: Vesa Kalho – Head of Beauty Buying, Fenwick
With a career spanning over two decades, including an instrumental role at Harrods and as former Chairman of COPRA, Vesa has consistently pushed the boundaries of excellence in beauty retail. Since joining Fenwick, he has redefined the art of curation, bringing a unique vision to beauty buying that meets the evolving desires of today’s consumers.
Icon Award: Sue Nabi – CEO, Coty Inc
With 30 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sue has excelled across mass and luxury sectors, leading innovations in fragrance, colour cosmetics, and skincare. Beginning her career at L’Oréal in 1993, she swiftly rose through the ranks to become its youngest-ever president, driving record-breaking growth and evolving the brand’s slogan to the inclusive “because we’re worth it.” Sue’s transformative vision extended to Lancôme, where she revitalised the brand and launched the iconic fragrance La Vie est Belle. In 2017, she co-founded Orveda, a pioneering vegan skincare brand, before joining Coty as CEO, where she has since driven ground-breaking innovations, including the recent Infiniment Coty Paris fragrance line, featuring cutting-edge technology for extended scent duration.
