Inspiring Future Talent With All Areas Access to Beauty

The British Beauty Council is committed to championing clear and diverse career pathways for young people into the beauty Industry to ensure a continuous pipeline of talent.. By nurturing early interest and increasing awareness of the range of roles and opportunities available, the Council plays a vital part in maintaining the sector’s global reputation as a leader in innovation, creativity and growth.

As part of this mission, the Council works with a range of stakeholders to showcase the many career routes within beauty and STEM. Through virtual engagement young people are introduced to the dynamic and evolving nature of the sector, from product formulation and sustainability to marketing, packaging design and beyond.

Opening Doors Through Virtual Work Experience

A key strand of this work is the Council’s partnership with Futures For All, working together since 2024, to deliver virtual workshops and work experience opportunities for students aged 11–19 across the UK. The programmes are designed to give students meaningful insight into careers in beauty and ensure accessibility for young people nationwide, regardless of location.

Also working closely with the Council’s network of Patrons, the curated sessions highlight the diversity of roles within the industry and demonstrate the power of creativity as a career pathway. Participating brands have included DECIEM, Pelham, Matrix, The GelBottle Inc and Medik8, with industry experts sharing their personal career journeys and offering practical insight into their field; including product development, marketing, and sustainability.

Students also take part in interactive tasks, developing key skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Programmes are structured to support different age groups, from virtual work experience sessions for Year 9 pupils to smaller, more intensive placements for 16 to 18 year olds.

In 2025, the British Beauty Council expanded its activity with Futures For All, delivering multiple programmes throughout the year, including a Year 9 virtual project engaging over 200 students in classrooms nationwide and a three-day work experience placement with Medik8 for 16–18-year-olds. They gained insight into the company through office and lab tours, as well as talks from professionals across departments from sustainability to marketing. Throughout the placement, students worked collaboratively on a project, which they presented to the Medik8 and the Council teams on the final day.

In April, a three-day virtual placement with beauty manufacturers Pelham saw 31 students take part in virtual office tours and heard from team members on areas such as business development, plant operations, and marketing, also completing a collaborative project.

In July 25 students completed a similar  three-day placement with Matrix. Students took part in office tours and heard from professionals across the business, including the Head of Innovation & NPD, Global Education Manager, Co-CEO, and Senior Brand Manager. Over the course of the placement, students worked on a three-day project, which they presented to the Matrix and BBCO teams on the final day. Students said about the experience: ‘I know about jobs that I didn’t know existed before.’ and ‘I enjoyed hearing about the development of everyone’s career path.’

In 2026, the programme will evolve further with the introduction of an in-person work experience placement at The Gel Bottle HQ.

Positive Impact

The impact of these programmes is reflected in the feedback from students “I really enjoyed the group work and listening to the speakers. They helped me in my process of applying for certain courses at university. I was also able to communicate better by being proactive in my group, this helped me develop my leadership and communication skills.”

“I enjoyed hearing about the roles of the different departments and how they all work together to create the final product. I was particularly interested in the chemistry and development of the products, learning about formulations and different materials that are used in products. The group project also enabled me to research more materials and processes used in the making. This has given me more clarity regarding the industry, helping me consider it more as a career in the beauty industry.”

“This initiative is invaluable in educating and encouraging young people from diverse backgrounds to consider different careers in the beauty industry. The programme helps students gain a clearer understanding of the variety of roles and career pathways available that I would have not known in secondary school!”

– Holly Sorbie, Product Intern, Matrix.

Shaping the Future of Beauty

Through its partnership with Futures For All and its wider programme of activity, the British Beauty Council is helping to democratise access to the beauty industry, ensuring that talent, regardless of background, has the opportunity to explore, engage with and ultimately shape the future of beauty.

By connecting education with industry, the Council is not only supporting individual career journeys but also safeguarding the long-term growth, diversity and innovation of the sector as a whole.

Alongside this work, the Council continues to collaborate with partners including UNiDAYS and Sephora UK on initiatives such as The Student Shadow Board.

For more information, or if you are interested in taking part in future work experience opportunities, please contact joinme@britishbeautycouncil.com.