WDF backs Cosmetic Executive Women event

John Rimmer

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World Duty Free was main sponsor of the Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Awards, held in London's Claridge's last night, with managing director Mark Riches delivering a well-received address

Travel retailer World Duty Free saluted the best of the UK's cosmetics industry last night as it sponsored the Cosmetic Executive Women UK Achiever Awards, held in London's Claridge's. Cosmetic Executive Women UK was formed in 1992 and aims to nurture executive talent among women in the cosmetics industry. It also carries out extensive charity work and was the beneficiary of the Raven Fox Ball in 2003.

The organisation's Achiever Awards recognises talent in the beauty business and salutes those who have made a lasting contribution. Among the recipients of this year's awards were BIBA founder Barbara Hulanicki, alternative health authority Leslie Kenton, Elizabeth Arden managing director Susan Taylor and White Company founder Chrissy Rucker. For the first time there was a male recipient of an award—former L'Oreal UK senior executive and founder of the Look Good, Feel Better charity, Richard Bradley.

Introducing the awards, World Duty Free managing director Mark Riches spoke of the need for retailers on the high street and in travel-retail to cooperate rather than remain estranged. "Business is hard enough without putting boundaries in the way," he argued, before revealing that beauty sales at World Duty Free has reached the £200m ($351m) mark.

"The beauty industry is fabulous therapy," said Riches. "The highlight for us over the past year has been the introduction of a Jo Malone boutique [in London Heathrow terminal three]. We've also worked hard on men's grooming, where the growth opportunities are huge. What's more, we have 154 new fragrances to launch in the run-up to Christmas. That's not bad for an industry that is supposed to be mature."