Speakers

Lucie Macleod is the founder and CEO of Hair Syrup, a successful hair care brand known for its all-natural, cruelty-free pre-wash hair oils.

Based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Lucie began her entrepreneurial journey in 2019 when she was a university student at the University of Warwick. After struggling with her own damaged air from bleaching and styling, she started researching and developing DIY hair treatments to improve her hair’s health. The oils she created worked so well that she shared her hair care routine on TikTok, where her content went viral, and she kept it that way. This sudden popularity prompted Lucie to start selling her products, and in just a few months, Hair Syrup became a thriving online business.

Today, her brand is stocked in major retailers like Boots, Superdrug, Urban Outfitters & Beauty Bay; Hair Syrup is a top 3 SMB merchant on TikTok and is on track to make £6.5 million in annual revenue by 2026 with the help of her growing team of 15+ people behind her. Hair Syrup has since expanded into a much larger hair care product range, with a focus on all-natural, sustainable ingredients. The line, featuring hair oils designed to nourish and strengthen, is a customer favourite for its effectiveness in promoting healthy hair growth.

Lucie’s commitment to cruelty-free, eco-conscious products has resonated with her growing audience, and the brand is quickly gaining recognition in both the beauty and sustainability spaces. Lucie also featured on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, pitching her business to the investors in January 2025 as an additional marketing tactic. Despite her rapid success, Lucie remains hands-on with her company, often helping with packaging and operations.

Anne-Clare Ribbons is the founder of Cotton Twist, an award-winning children’s craft brand born from a simple idea at her kitchen table. After leaving a fast-paced corporate career and becoming a mother, Anne-Clare recognised a gap in the market for stylish, sustainable party bag fillers and craft kits that spark creativity without costing the earth. With just £400 and a vision to reduce plastic waste, she launched Cotton Twist in 2015.

Now celebrating its tenth year, the business has grown organically, reaching thousands of families and retailers worldwide. Anne-Clare leads the brand with a focus on eco-conscious design, playful nostalgia, and the joy of hands-on creativity. From party bags to seasonal gifts, her products are lovingly assembled in the UK and inspire imaginative play for children aged 3 and up.

Lauren Duncan leads the Ecommerce strategy at Philip Kingsley, the renowned trichology-led haircare brand. With a passion for data-driven growth and customer experience, Lauren combines commercial acumen with a deep understanding of the premium beauty market. She has played a key role in accelerating Philip Kingsley’s digital presence, driving customer acquisition, and expanding its DTC offering across the UK and US. More recently, Lauren is working on digitally transforming their Clinical offering.

Chris Forbes is Co-founder of The Cheeky Panda along with his partner Julie Chen. Cheeky Panda is a Fast Track 100 company, Ranked 13th in the UKs top 100 start-ups the 8th most recognisable sustainable brand in the UK. Chris is passionate about delivering change for good and has been a public speaker with regular features in press and radio helping share the journey and inspire others to become environmental entrepreneurs.  Passionate about building sustainable 21st century companies that have purpose over profit but are still commercially viable entities.   He has been a mentor to several high growth businesses over the past 5 years.