UNiDAYS, in partnership with the British Beauty Council and Sephora UK, today announces the winners of the new Student Beauty Shadow Board, a pioneering mentorship and grant initiative created to support and spotlight the next generation of beauty industry leaders.
After a competitive nationwide selection process – where applicants were asked to pitch their future-facing beauty solutions across topics including innovation & technology, sustainability, creativity, marketing and science – five winners have been chosen to form the inaugural Student Beauty Shadow Board.
These impressive students 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.
The winners – selected from just under 500 entries – are students studying a range of subjects from cosmetic science, pharmaceutical science and digital marketing in fashion, but with one thing in common – a commitment to shaping the future of the beauty industry.
The Shadow Board is designed for further education students who are passionate about shaping the future of beauty. Bridging the gap between education and industry, the initiative offers a unique platform for emerging talent to thrive.
A panel of industry leaders selected the winners from a pool of exceptional applicants. The judging panel included Jamie Genevieve, Founder of VIEVE, Forbes 30 Under 30 Hall of Fame, Jacqui Burchell, CCO British Beauty Council, Victoria Brownlie MBE, Chief Policy Officer, British Beauty Council, Sabina Ellahi, Head of PR and Communications, Sephora UK and UNiDAYS’ Chief Operating Officer Tamara Castelli.
The first meeting of the newly formed Student Beauty Shadow Board took place last week on Wednesday 4th June in London. The competition winners met with industry leaders including representatives from UNiDAYS, Sephora, the British Beauty Council, and Jamie Genevieve. This is the first of three face-to-face workshop sessions designed to give the next generation a voice in shaping the future of the beauty industry.
UNiDAYS has partnered with The British Beauty Council for two years, supporting their Future Talent programme – an initiative which encourages emerging talent entering the beauty industry and supports further industry innovation through education and STEM.
Jessica Hewitt, Global Head of Beauty and Wellness at UNiDAYS said: “We are thrilled to partner with the British Beauty Council and Sephora on The Student Beauty Shadow Board initiative. This incredible programme is all about giving the next generation of beauty talent access to mentorship, industry insights, and – most importantly – a seat at the table.
“We recognise that today’s beauty students are tomorrow’s visionaries, and we’re committed to empowering them to shape the future of an industry they already influence so profoundly”.
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 beauty industry. This is just the start and I am excited to see the development of the Shadow Board over the next year!”
Sabina Ellahi, Head of PR & Communications at Sephora UK said: “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 beauty 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.”
Rachel Igwe, cosmetic science student and Shadow Board winner, said: “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.
“Every customer should find their perfect match displayed with pride, backed by formulations that deliver. True representation isn’t just aspirational; it’s how we build trust in beauty.”
