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Spring is well and truly sprung and the blossom trees are delighting us. Many of us are also enjoying some sunny weather – and (spoiler alert!) CTPA will shortly be launching its annual suncare campaign, so please watch out for that.
While contemplating some key events that I have had the fortune to attend recently, it made me think of how much CTPA’s influence and outreach happens “outside the walls” and the latest weeks illustrate this perfectly. I wanted to share some recent highlights with you.
PCPC Beauty Summit
As in previous years, I had the pleasure to attend, together with Nico Shaw Núñez, Director of Regulation and Sustainability, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) 2026 Beauty Collective Summit at the end of March, in the US.
Tom Myers, President and CEO of PCPC, in his opening remarks, spoke with passion about our industry. Two things in particular that Tom said struck me: “we are building confidence and confidence matters” and “without science we wouldn’t really have an industry”. Two pillars of advocacy that CTPA shares with our international partners and make these moments of connection essential to discuss challenges and solutions.
Tom also paid tribute to Louanne Roark, Executive Director of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation who will be retiring this year after very many years at the Foundation. We thank Louanne for her incredible service to this important charity, and wish her well in the next phase of her life.
Entitled ‘Beauty is for All’, the #PCPCSummit26 was curated by Karin Ross, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, PCPC. Over the two days we contemplated the Science of Beauty as well as Regulation and Global Impact. We were treated to interesting updates, debates and strategic views on the key issues facing the industry both in the States and around the world, including the current geopolitical impacts. It was also interesting to hear directly from the FDA.
My thanks to Tom and all the Team at PCPC for an informative and successful event.
The Summit concluded with the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence. Madam C.J. Walker was a philanthropist, social activist and entrepreneur, who developed cosmetics and hair care products for black women. The award, presented by Madam Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles, recognises trailblazing changemakers in the industry, who instigate meaningful change. My congratulations to Vera Moore (Vera Moore Cosmetics), Robert Cradle (Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation) and Erica Roberson (VP, US DE&I Business Development, L’Oreal USA), this year’s inspirational winners.
International Associations Collaboration
I have often spoken about the importance of a strong network of Associations, and I mention it here again. Such solidarity and support were evident by the number of associations represented at the PCPC Beauty Collective Summit.
Those Associations then convened at a face-to-face International Associations Collaboration (IAC) meeting, a truly global gathering.
IAC is a forum for dialogue among national and international cosmetics and personal care industry associations from around the world. It has a rotating Facilitator, and the current Facilitator is the Korean Cosmetic Association, KCA.
Miss Kim Kyoungok (KCA) welcomed members and Chaired the proceedings. Information was shared on priority topics; updates were provided on the active IAC Projects; and emerging issues and future project ideas were discussed.
The PCPC anti-counterfeit campaign “Buy No Lie” and CTPA’s SkinCare Simplified guidance for parents were very well received and there was an appetite for both initiatives to be replicated by other regions.
Issues are rarely local, which is why it is incredibly beneficial to have an active network of international colleagues with whom to have fruitful debates and create solutions to global challenges.
My thanks to PCPC for hosting us and to KCA for leading us.
Cosmoprof Bologna Worldwide
The CTPA Team also continues to exert its influence ‘outside the walls’, and a great example is the recent visit to Cosmoprof Bologna alongside the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team. This signalled CTPA’s return to this major industry gathering.
Heloise Prieur (Head of Communications and Marketing), Julia Hewitt (Membership Officer) and Eilis McGowan (Regulatory Affairs Manager) organised to connect with current CTPA members and met new companies in the corridors. I was very pleased to hear it had been a brilliant opportunity to offer support with CTPA’s expertise and services available to members, while getting immersed in the evolving trends of a vibrant global market.
Heloise also was invited to speak for CTPA at the DBT “Great British Beauty Networking Reception”, where she highlighted the value of collaboration within our trade association and with stakeholders, the essential work CTPA carries out with DBT, supporting UK companies on their global development and the challenges and trends our essential industry must continue to embrace, confidently and responsibly.
UK/EU Relations
This is an ever- and sometimes quickly-evolving topic that is critical to our UK industry and on the pulse of which CTPA keeps a constant finger! I recently had the opportunity to attend a roundtable, hosted by Rud Pedersen, “The Future of UK–EU Relations: An Opportunity for Growth”, with The Rt Hon Nick Thomas Symonds MP, as part of The National Growth Debate, at the Institute of Directors.
Nick Thomas Symonds is Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations) and Paymaster General, and has spoken recently regarding UK/EU alignment deals. While there is already an agreement on SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) products, and Mr Thomas Symonds has suggested that steel and electric vehicles might be the next matters for the UK to seek deals with the EU, CTPA has been keen to determine the Government’s views on chemicals. I was able to ask this of the Minister at the Roundtable. Although no further information was divulged, it was good to raise the issue of chemicals with the Minister in person, as this is a critical workstream for CTPA, working with Cosmetics Europe and sister chemicals organisations both in the UK and the EU.
Future Cosmetic Scientists
I am sure you are aware of how much I value my membership of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS). I have gained much experience and made many contacts, and friends, through my engagement with the Society and am extremely proud to be a past President. I was therefore honoured to be asked by Bernice Ridley, Education Programme Manager, to talk at this year’s SCS Diploma in Cosmetic Science graduation ceremony. The topic was another subject close to my heart, sun protection.
It was a joy to see the graduates receive their well-deserved certificates from SCS President, Dan Whitby. The diploma is a stimulating and challenging course, equipping the next generation of cosmetic scientists with the scientific rigour needed to excel in our amazing industry. My thanks to the SCS and my congratulations to all the graduates. I wish them every success.
CTPA Supporting LGFB with a Nuclear Rush!
On Saturday 9 May, six brave members of the CTPA team (including yours truly!!) will be taking part in a Nuclear Rush Race to raise money for Look Good Feel Better. The 6k, obstacle- (and mud-!) laden course is set in a Secret Nuclear Bunker Estate in Essex. Please wish us luck! Further details are available via the CTPA LinkedIn post.
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