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 include:
Achiever Award: Anabel Kindersley, CEO and Co-Owner, Neal’s Yard Remedies
Since becoming Co-Owner of Neal’s Yard Remedies in 2006, and more recently stepping into the role of CEO, Anabel Kindersley has led the pioneering British modern apothecary through a period of thoughtful evolution. With a background as a teacher, homeopath and author, she brings a holistic, purpose-led approach to leadership that mirrors the brand’s ethos: Beauty Without Compromise.
Under her direction, Neal’s Yard Remedies has deepened its commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and clinically proven formulations, which are still made in the eco-manufacturing facility in Dorset.
A passionate advocate for biodiversity, Anabel founded the #StandByBees campaign, leading a coalition of over 100 British businesses and NGOs working to protect pollinators to secure the UK’s 2025 ban on bee-killing pesticides. Through her leadership, she continues to demonstrate how integrity and environmental responsibility can shape both business and beauty.
Achiever Award: Anna Ohlsson -Baskerville, Partner, Unilever Ventures
Anna is a Partner at Unilever Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Unilever Group, which she joined in 2003 after seven years in investment banking and venture capital in London. For the past twelve years, Anna has focussed on investments in Beauty and Wellbeing in Europe and North America, where she works closely with founders and portfolio companies as a non-executive director and investor. In the UK, Anna is highly engaged with the early-stage beauty ecosystem and currently works with Trinny London, Luna Daily and indu, having previously represented Unilever Ventures’ as an investor in Curlsmith and Gallinée, from investment to exit. Anna is Swedish and lived in France prior to starting her career in the UK.
Achiever Award: Jamie Genevieve, Founder, VIEVE
Based in Scotland, Jamie’s talent and passion for make-up convinced her to train as a professional artist after leaving school. While studying, she gained essential experience working on counter for a luxury cosmetics brand in Glasgow; the interaction with customers and clients inspired such confidence and positivity, that her popularity, talent as a communicator and skills as an artist organically led her to start sharing her knowledge online. Jamie has worked closely with key international brand partners during her career and her global success is often attributed to her talent, hard work, grounded nature and the mutual respect she shares with her loyal followers and her VIEVE community. Jamie has a combined social following of over 2.7 million.
Jamie launched VIEVE 5 years ago (www.vievebeauty.com). A beauty brand that was launched during the pandemic but is quickly becoming one of the most coveted makeup brands available. Known for its luxurious formulas, powerful pigments and modern approach to beauty – created by an expert make-up artist that has the knowledge of what her community want. A versatile, award winning range which caters to all ages, races and genders. Each one of the high-performance products, such as the award winning Skin Nova are vegan as well as cruelty, paraben and gluten free. Stocked in retailers such as SpaceNK, Sephora, Harrods and Cult Beauty & sold worldwide.
Achiever Award: Ruby Hammer, MBE, Founder, Ruby Hammer Ltd
With a career spanning over four decades, Ruby Hammer MBE has built a reputation for artistry, innovation, and authenticity. As a makeup artist, her work has graced countless editorial shoots, fashion shows, and red carpets, earning her recognition as a trusted expert and creative force.
An entrepreneur as well as an artist, Ruby helped introduce and launch iconic international brands including Aveda and L’Occitane within the UK, before co-founding the pioneering British brand Ruby & Millie, which redefined the beauty landscape by championing inclusivity and education long before they became industry standards.
From red carpets to real-life moments, Ruby’s work connects artistry with everyday confidence. As the original makeup artist on 10 Years Younger, she brought her skill and empathy to the general public, helping individuals rediscover their confidence and joy through the transformative power of makeup.
Today, through Ruby Hammer Beauty, she combines her professional expertise with a modern, streamlined approach — creating high-performance essentials that celebrate individuality and make beauty feel joyful, effortless, and empowering.
Honoured with an MBE for services to the cosmetics industry, Ruby continues to inspire generations to view beauty as an act of self-expression, celebrating their unique beauty and enhancing what they have rather than masking it.
Special Industry Award: Ajay Sethi, CEO of Tweezerman UK
Ajay Sethi, is the CEO of Tweezerman UK, a leading force in the Beauty Tools industry and home to two powerhouse brands: Tweezerman and TRUYU. Under Ajay’s leadership, The Iconic and multi award winning Tweezerman brand is the UK’s number one Beauty Tools brand by value, and TRUYU, the number one Beauty Tools brand by volume. These brands are now sold in 67 countries worldwide, with a continued and steadfast commitment to Quality and Innovation, with the Beauty Consumer being the heart of absolutely everything that it does.
Ajay began his Tweezerman UK journey in 2004, launching the business from his bedroom in Nottingham after the company he previously worked for went into administration. Armed with a 1st Class Degree and an MBA, he set out with a clear mission: to become “The Beauty Tools Experts” offering “Best-in-class Beauty Tools” made from the highest-grade materials by highly skilled people. His mantra has remained unchanged: “To Bring the Beauty Shopper’s Voice Upstream.” In 2013, Tweezerman UK entered a new exciting chapter when it was acquired by the Zwilling Beauty Group and a new UK Joint Venture was set up. Tweezerman UK is now part of the globally respected Werhahn Group, a privately owned German conglomerate with a turnover of €4.5 billion. Today, Ajay continues to lead the UK operations from the Nottingham head office, where the global brand team for TRUYU is also based.
Tweezerman UK is proud to have driven significant growth in the Beauty Tools category for every retail partner it has ever collaborated with. Beyond the boardroom, Ajay is a passionate advocate for giving back, one of his core personal values. He is a Trustee of the Nottingham-based charity Our Dementia Choir, founded by the actress Vicky McClure. The choir uses the power of music to support people living with dementia, offering connection, joy, and to raise increased awareness about the condition.
Ajay also supports the philanthropic work of the Zwilling Foundation in India, whose ZWILLING Care initiative has, since 2011, empowered young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities to gain independence through vocational training. A long-time resident of West Bridgford, Nottingham, Ajay has lived there for 25 years with his wife, Neeshi. They are proud parents to two adult children: a 25-year-old son working in the Legal Tech sector and a 23-year-old daughter pursuing a career in the Beauty Industry, a fitting continuation of the family passion. Ajay Sethi is a purpose-driven leader who blends commercial success with a genuine desire to make a difference, both in the wonderful world of Beauty and the wider community.
Special Industry Award: Andy Lightfoot, CEO Space NK
Andy Lightfoot is a career retailer counting Dixons, Tesco and WHSmith amongst his former employers. Joining Amazon in 2009 he was part of the rapid expansion in the UK setting up their first digital service, “Amazon MP3” laying the foundations that evolved Prime deliveries into the eco-system it is today across film, music and digital services. In addition, Andy ran categories across media and consumer electronics as well as leading a host of pan-European projects. Leaving in 2014 and via 18 months at Arcadia Andy joined Space NK where, from the initial position of Digital Director was promoted to CEO in 2019, leading a commercial and cultural evolution championing omni-channel and galvanising teams around a customer-first approach. Acquired by Ulta Beauty in 2025, Andy now sits on the Ulta executive board.
