16 | Influential Businesswoman Awards 2026 Leading Ethical Beauty Brand Marketing Strategist 2026 (UK): Grace Oh race Oh’s career first began at L’Oréal, where she spent a decade building global brand such as Lancôme, Kiehl’s, and Shu Uemura. Following this position, Grace moved into independent consulting. Here, she collaborated with a diverse range of businesses, from small, founder-led startups to high-profile celebrity brands such as Ariana Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty and social-first disruptors like Charlotte Tilbury and Gisou. Now, Grace has served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Neal’s Yard Remedies for 18 months. She oversees the full end-to-end journey – from product concept and innovation through to formulation, creative campaigns, and go-to-market strategy – leveraging two decades of experience within the luxury beauty and cosmetics industry. “For me, it’s the combination of the training and foundation-building from L’Oréal, alongside the agile, entrepreneurial environments within founder-led brands, that have shaped my path today,” she told us. “It allows me to identify not just what should be done strategically, but what can be delivered effectively and authentically in today’s fastmoving market.” With an unrivalled understanding of the industry, Grace has propelled her team forward to achieve greatness. The CMO upholds the belief that “leadership is as much about people as it is performance” and asserts that her most rewarding achievement has been mentoring her team, developing talent, and steering individuals to success. “Leadership is as much about people as it is performance.” Beauty has always been a female-driven industry, but historically that representation has not extended fully into leadership. Earlier in her career, Grace noted that many C-suite roles across global beauty companies were still dominated by male leadership. While it has not become harder for women to enter the industry today, the structural challenges – particularly around work-life balance, motherhood, and leadership progression – are still very real. When Grace first entered the beauty industry, she understood the importance of navigating such a male-dominated space with caution, recognising that her work and voice had to remain her top priority. Stepping outside of the corporate environment during her early family years also afforded Grace the flexibility to define success on her own terms, which remains a relevant topic today. At first, Grace defined success by the brands she aspired to work with. Joining YSL Beauty and becoming one of the first Asian Marketing Directors within a traditionally French-led haute couture environment was a significant achievement. Two decades later, however, and Grace’s definition of success has evolved in alignment with her own personal growth. “Today, working with Neal’s Yard Remedies, a brand whose values I genuinely love and respect – particularly around sustainability, wellbeing, and doing business with purpose – feels incredibly meaningful at this stage in my career,” she shared. “I think a lot about the future and what the world will be like for the next generation. I didn’t see many people that looked like me in the public eye growing up, and to see my son and daughter experiencing a more diverse world, where key leadership and role models are relatable to them, is amazing.” “As global companies we have a responsibility: how can brands help protect both the future generation and the earth. How do we counter an increasingly detached, dehumanising, digital-first culture that is increasingly emerging, with something more human and meaningful?” Looking ahead, Grace intends to remain actively part of the conversations surrounding what is shaping the future of the beauty industry. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Neal’s Yard Remedies, and her team is more focused than ever on leading the market with innovation and authenticity. Wellbeing continues to grow and evolve, influencing how consumers think about beauty, whilst debate intensifies regarding the balance of naturality and artificial intelligence, and the undoubtedly defining role such advancements will play in the years ahead. “In a world where we’re increasingly focused on the instant, the now and the external, how do I create meaningful, engaging conversations with the consumer that allows us to go deeper?” Grace concluded. “My goal is to keep being inspired. I still love the industry after 20 years and, as long as the mission is exciting and sparks my curiosity, I am open to wherever it takes me.” Contact: Grace Oh Company: Neal’s Yard Remedies Web Address: www.nealsyardremedies.com Neal’s Yard Remedies has stood as a pioneer in natural skincare and organic beauty for more than four decades. The British beauty brand is grounded in sustainability, wellbeing, and ethical sourcing, delivering award-winning collections that help consumers find a natural balance between outer beauty and inner health. We sat down with Grace Oh, celebrated Chief Marketing Officer at Neal’s Yard Remedies and a recent recipient in the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2026, to learn more about her journey of success. G
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