Virtual reality mirrors, 3D printed make-up, smart sunscreens… beauty is going digital.
Technology is transforming the beauty landscape, changing the way products are made and sold to consumers. At every stage of a beauty product’s lifecycle, our increasingly digitized world is having an impact.
We’ve gathered an impressive group of tech-savvy industry professionals to offer insights on the future of beauty and tech. Moderated by Jo Jones, our Tech in Beauty discussion panel brings together Katie Morrison (Facebook), Rachel Horsefield (The Hut Group), Jennifer Roebuck (Feelunique) and Lopo Champalimaud (Treatwell).
Modern consumers expect more from their beauty brands and products. They are seeking a personalised experience that addresses their individual needs and is tailored to them. What opportunities might technology offer?
Book your ticket today to to learn more about this fascinating topic.
The event takes place on September 14 at the London Beauty Week Hub at 13-14 Floral Street in Covent Garden. Doors at 5pm with panel discussion from 5:30-6:30pm.
100% of the ticket price will go to Beauty Banks, a non-profit that redistributes personal care and beauty products to help fight hygiene poverty. You will also be able to bring your product donations on the day.
The Panel
Katie Morrison (panellist)
Client Partner – FMCG (Beauty) at Facebook
Katie Morrison is a UK Client Partner for FMCG at Facebook, working across some of the largest beauty brands in the world. Before starting her almost seven-year Facebook journey, Katie was instrumental in launching Myspace in EMEA, meaning she was there right at the start of the social media movement.
Katie’s 17-year media career begun working on a portfolio of glossy magazines and digital websites at Emap Advertising. Katie is an experienced and passionate digital marketeer and also a self-confessed beauty addict.
Rachel Horsefield (panellist)
CEO – Beauty at The Hut Group
Rachel is CEO of Beauty at The Hut Group, which sells health and beauty products via its 166 websites, including Lookfantastic and Myprotein. In 2018, the group was valued at £3.25bn and made EBITDA of £91m on sales of £917m, of which Beauty is now the largest division at £470m.
During her seven years at the Hut Group, Rachel has successfully led the Beauty divisions global online retail expansion, subscription box model and seven beauty brand acquisitions.
Jennifer Roebuck (panellist)
Chief marketing officer of Feelunique
Jennifer Roebuck joined Feelunique as Chief Marketing Officer in June 2018 with over 22 years’ experience in digital and consumer marketing, and 10 years’ experience focused on E-commerce and digital consumer start-ups in the UK and US.
Originally from the US, Jennifer started her career in technology and digital consulting at KPMG in the late ’90s and helped several online businesses scale during the early days of E-commerce. Since then, she has been part of many forward-thinking businesses in the UK such as Nectar, EE (formerly Orange), Arcadia Group, and French Connection.
During her time at French Connection, she launched the world’s first YouTube store and one of the first retail native apps on iOS. More recently, she developed the most advanced consumer entertainment app called REVL, a first for mobile. Jennifer is currently a digital non-exec for the global fashion brand Ted Baker.
Lopo Champalimaud
Co-founder and CEO of Treatwell
Lopo is the Founder and CEO of Treatwell, the largest hair and beauty booking service in the world. The company, which is headquartered in London, has over 10 million appointments made through its online bookings platform annually, employs 500+ people and has over 25,000 spas and salons using its service, with 1,500 new ones joining each month.
After a mercifully brief career in banking and private equity with Pictet and Wand Partners, Lopo moved into technology, and was the founder of two successful data and CRM start-ups in New York. He moved to the UK in 2001 and became the MD of Lifestyle at Lastminute.com.
Lopo realised the potential for disruption within the €100bn health, wellness and beauty industry, which to that point had largely failed to join the internet revolution. He believed that by providing a world-class cloud-based management software for spas and salons and connecting it to a convenient consumer marketplace, he could help businesses grow while also making it easier for customers to find and book their beauty appointments. In 2008 he founded the company, then called Wahanda, to do just that.
Lopo steered the company through a major European expansion campaign that included five acquisitions, resulting in a company rebrand to Treatwell. Treatwell now operates in 11 countries and in 2015, Japan’s Recruit Holdings invested over €292 million, taking a majority stake in the company in order to fund the ongoing expansion of the business into a global brand.
Jo Jones (moderator)
Founder of Beauty Beat, Co-founder of Beauty Banks
Jo is considered one of the best brand builders in the beauty industry. She has devised strategic brand and communications plans for some of the biggest players in the beauty world including Charlotte Tilbury, Space NK, Glossier, John Frieda, Burberry Beauty and Primark Beauty.
Jo led the global beauty team at The Communications Store (TCS) for 14 years, heading up a team of 25 public relations professionals and she remains a consultant to TCS today.
Jo lives in Surrey with her two daughters and husband Dan who is a medieval historian (yes you read that correctly!).
