Shaping the Future of Beauty Talent

From the products we use every day to the trends that shape how we express ourselves; beauty plays a powerful role in our lives. For every formulation, campaign and innovation, there’s a need for a new generation of talent to drive the industry forward.

Through its Future Talent Programme, the British Beauty Council is working to ensure that young people from all backgrounds can discover and access careers across beauty. By spotlighting the full range of opportunities available, the Council is helping to secure the future of the UK beauty industry as a global leader in creativity, science, and innovation.

Bringing Beauty Careers to Life

For many young people, careers in beauty can feel limited to what they see online. The Future Talent Programme challenges this by showcasing the full spectrum of roles that exist behind the scenes.

Working with industry partners, the Council has developed a series of documentary-style films that make beauty careers more visible and relatable. Spanning cosmetic science, fragrance, sustainability and technology, the films highlight just how diverse the industry really is.

Featuring voices including Jamie Genevieve, Gary Thompson (The Plastic Boy) and The Welsh Twins, the series connects with younger audiences while introducing them to career paths they may not have previously considered.

Why It Matters

The beauty industry contributes billions to the UK economy, yet awareness of its career opportunities remains limited. The Future Talent Programme is helping to change that by connecting education, industry and consumers.

Launched in February 2023 with support from the Department for Education, the initiative highlights beauty as a credible and exciting career path. As former Education Secretary Gillian Keegan noted, the industry offers significant opportunities for young people to build careers in science, innovation and beyond.

• Bethany Cookson – Watch Video
• Ojoachenyo Onuh – Watch Video
• Penelope Helbest – Watch Video
• Tyrese Walters – Watch Video
• Rachel Igwe – Watch Video

Real-World Experience

A key part of the programme is giving young people practical insight into how the industry works.

One example is a three-day virtual placement with Matrix via Futures For All, where students gained behind-the-scenes access to a global beauty brand. They heard from teams across the business, including the Head of Innovation and NPD, Global Education Manager, Co-CEO and Senior Brand Manager.

Students also worked on a project and presented their ideas to the Matrix and British Beauty Council teams, building confidence and communication skills.

The impact is reflected in student feedback: “I know about jobs that I didn’t know existed before.”

Supporting the Next Generation

The Future Talent Programme also extends beyond work experience to offer mentorship and direct industry access.

In 2025, the British Beauty Council launched The Student Shadow Board in partnership with UNiDAYS and Sephora UK. Designed for further education students, the initiative gives participants the opportunity to gain hands-on insight into the industry while helping shape its future.

With over 400 applicants in its first year, five winners from across the UK were selected to receive one-to-one mentorship, networking opportunities and a £3,000 grant. The programme was judged by a panel of industry experts, including Jamie Genevieve, alongside leaders from the Council and Sephora UK.

The programme is now in its second year with the Student Shadow Board 2026 and is open again for applications.

Tackling Misinformation in Beauty

As more consumers turn to social media for beauty advice, access to accurate information is increasingly important.

Through The Creator Collective, also known as Skin School, the Council is addressing misinformation by providing science-backed skincare education. Developed with No7 Beauty Company, the programme equips influencers with the knowledge to share credible advice.

Since launching in 2022, three cohorts have completed the programme. In 2025, Skin School became open-source, allowing anyone to access its resources and enrol in modules.

Whether you are a brand looking to support the next generation of talent, or an individual interested in learning more about careers in beauty, the British Beauty Council welcomes your involvement in the Future Talent Programme. To find out more please contact joinme@britishbeautycouncil.com