Lucie Macleod, founder of TikTok-viral haircare brand Hair Syrup was presented with the award at The Sunday Times 100 Awards Ceremony at the British Museum last Friday, September 25.
Earlier this year Hair Syrup was named the 13th fastest growing private company in Britain in the Sunday Times 100 index of Britain’s fastest-growing private businesses.
(Image: Hair Syrup)
The company, based in Fishguard and Goodwick, is also the second fastest growing business in the whole of Wales.
Lucie, from Newport, started Hair Syrup aged 21 as a student side hustle from her parents’ conservatory using £300 to start the business.
Lucie created the brand after struggling with bleach damage and breakage in her early twenties.
She had heard about oil being used as a pre-wash on holiday in Thailand and decided to investigate.
Unable find an affordable pre-wash or one that fitted what she was looking for, she made her own using ingredients from local health food shops.
The product went viral on TikTok with more than 600,000 views and the business was born.
In just five years Hair Syrup has grown into the UK’s fastest-growing beauty brand of 2025. The brand achieved £5m annual revenue in 2024/25 and expanded its reach into major UK retailers such as Boots, JustMyLook, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Anthropologie and TikTok Shop. It also has the brand has more than 500,000 loyal social media followers
Annual revenue is forecast to reach £6.5m in 2026, with international expansion underway following Hair Syrup’s recent EU retail launch with Lyko which will see the products stocked across Scandinavia.
Friday’s award was presented by Ben Francis, Founder of Gymshark, and Jon Yeomans, Business Editor of The Times. The judging panel praised Lucie’s journey from her parents’ conservatory in Pembrokeshire to leading one of the UK’s fastest-growing consumer brands.
“The winner of this award began selling her hair oil from her parents’ conservatory in Pembrokeshire whilst still studying for her degree in English Literature,” said Ben Francis.
“Brushing off rejection from BBC’s Dragon’s Den last year, she has built a social media following of over half a million followers, and broke sales of 167% a year, to £5m last year.”
Lucie said that to be recognised by The Sunday Times and to receive the award from such respected names in business was ‘an incredible honour’.
“When I started Hair Syrup as a student with just £300, I never imagined it would grow into the UK’s fastest-growing beauty brand,” she said.
“This recognition isn’t just for me, but for the amazing team, community and customers who have supported Hair Syrup from day one.
“I hope my story shows other young entrepreneurs that you don’t need to start with a huge investment to build something extraordinary.”
