Jo Malone

Jo Malone CBE is one of Britain’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, celebrated for transforming creativity, resilience and self-belief into global business success. Acclaimed as the ‘English scent maverick’, Jo discovered her passion for fragrance while working as a facial therapist from her home-based skincare clinic in London. Her handmade creations quickly gained a devoted following, leading to the launch of Jo Malone London, a brand that redefined luxury fragrance. After selling the business to The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999, she remained Creative Director until 2006 before stepping away entirely. Today, Jo is no longer associated with the Jo Malone London brand or its products, choosing instead to forge a new path on her own terms.

Rather than allowing change to define her, Jo embraced it. In 2011, she founded Jo Loves, creating a brand built on creativity, authenticity and innovation. Inspired by memories, emotions and everyday moments, the company has grown internationally with collections spanning fragrance, bath and body products, candles and lifestyle ranges. In 2023, Jo and her husband Gary relocated to Dubai, UAE, where they launched Jo Creates, a business dedicated to exploring what she calls ‘the five senses of Jo’ through a series of entrepreneurial ventures. The first, Jo Vodka, launched in 2025, reflecting her determination to keep evolving and challenging expectations.

Jo’s journey is defined by resilience. Raised in government-subsidised housing, she overcame dyslexia, faced breast cancer and rebuilt her career after leaving the company that bore her name. Her achievements have earned widespread recognition, including an MBE in 2008, a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018 for services to the British economy, and induction into the World Retail Congress Hall of Fame in 2016. Through every challenge, Jo has demonstrated that courage, adaptability and belief in yourself can become the foundations of extraordinary success.

Today, Jo is a highly sought-after motivational keynote speaker and champion of female entrepreneurship, inspiring audiences around the world with her honest reflections on leadership, reinvention and overcoming adversity. She encourages individuals, particularly women, to trust their instincts, embrace change and create opportunities where others see obstacles. Her expertise has also been recognised by the BBC, which invited her to become one of its Maestros, with her course, ‘How to Think Like an Entrepreneur’, achieving international success. Jo’s story reminds audiences that success is not defined by where you begin, but by the courage to keep creating, keep learning and keep believing in yourself.