UNiDAYS, the British Beauty Council, and Sephora UK have launched The Student Shadow Board, a new programme designed to spotlight the next generation of beauty talent. With over 700 students already registered from UNiDAYS’ 29 million-member network, the initiative invites applicants to pitch future-forward ideas in areas like innovation, sustainability, marketing, creativity, and science.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel led by Jamie Genevieve—Forbes 30 Under 30 Hall of Fame inductee and Founder of Vieve—alongside experts from the British Beauty Council, UNiDAYS, and Sephora UK. Five winners will receive £3000 grants and exclusive mentorship opportunities through a series of curated events.

VIEVE founder Jamie Genevieve
VIEVE founder, Jamie Genevieve.

Genevieve, also a British Beauty Council Advisory Board Member, shared that the programme personally resonates with her journey as a student makeup artist and looks forward to seeing how participants develop. Sephora UK, the lead financial sponsor, will be represented on the judging panel by Sabina Ellahi, its Head of PR and Communications. On the launch of The Student Shadow Board, Ellahi emphasized Sephora UK’s commitment to creating accessible career opportunities in the growing UK beauty market.

The programme sits within the British Beauty Council’s Talent & Careers initiative, which aims to improve educational access and clear career pathways in the beauty industry. CEO Millie Kendall OBE described the programme as a chance to harness the insight and creativity of young people already deeply engaged in the field.

Jessica Hewitt, Beauty Category Lead at UNiDAYS, added that the partnership with Sephora and the British Beauty Council gives students real influence within the industry. “This programme isn’t just about mentorship and grants – it’s about giving students a genuine seat at the table,” she said.

Winners will be selected using a scoring system based on creativity, initiative, and execution. Applications close in April 2025, with winners announced in May and mentorships beginning shortly after. More information is available here.