Jo Malone

Jo Malone CBE is a decorated female entrepreneur, renowned as the distinguished Founder of Jo Malone London and Jo Loves. Described as an “English scent maverick”, Jo is widely regarded as the woman behind many of the World’s most loved fragrances with icons like Kate Middleton wearing Jo Malone as their signature scent. Having now sold her iconic businesses, Jo regularly contributes to consumer public relations and makes several radio and television appearances. Jo is also a popular choice as a keynote speaker for corporate events, hired to share her business acumen and how she intends to change the way the World wears fragrance. 

Initially forging success as a facial therapist, Jo began creating scented products by hand in her kitchen. Before long, word got out about Jo’s incredible talent for creating fragrances, and from this, her brand Jo Malone London was born. Gaining cult status across the UK, Jo enjoyed substantial success with her brand, ultimately deciding to sell the business to Estée Lauder in 1999 – remaining as the Creative Director of Jo Malone London until 2006. Five years after she departed from Jo Malone London, Jo created Jo Loves, opening the first store in Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street and growing its collection of scents, candles and body products. Today, Jo is no longer associated with her iconic brands but continues to spread her passion for fragrances and perfume. 

Having pioneered such a distinguished brand, Jo has claimed several honours. In 2008 she was appointed as an MBE for her Services to the Beauty Industry. 10 years later, in 2018, she was further honoured with the appointment of CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, recognising her Services to the British Economy and the GREAT British Campaign. Her involvement in the GREAT British Campaign is also highly significant, working on a campaign centred around promoting British creativity and industry on an international platform. To share her iconic story, Jo published the book Jo Malone: My Story in 2016, an award-winning autobiography that documents her journey from humble beginnings to business success – described as “a gripping but utterly heartrending read” by The Sunday Times.

Now hired as an international keynote speaker, Jo is highly sought-after to share her story – from being raised in government-subsidised housing, leaving school as a teenager to care for her mother who had suffered a stroke and struggling with dyslexia to founding and selling a successful business, having a child and being diagnosed with breast cancer. Now setting out on the second chapter of her life, Jo has an enduring dedication to the art of fragrance and is on a mission to inspire and captivate audiences on a global scale. The impact she has had as an entrepreneurial trailblazer is immense, marked by her distinctive scents. If you are looking for an internationally recognised keynote speaker for your next event, who can share their passionate entrepreneurial success and enthusiasm for perfume, hire Jo Malone CBE today. 

In December 2023 Jo Malone sat down for a Q&A and discussed how she built two successful companies and her fight with and recovery from cancer. Watch our Interview with Jo Malone.