Martin Rae, CEO of leading hair and beauty brand, CLOUD NINE has been named as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2022.
The programme, which is supported by The Times and now in its fifth year, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.
A record number of nominations – more than 750 – were received this year, proving that ambition is alive and well despite the challenges faced by increasing economic uncertainty.
The business leaders featured in The Top 50 demonstrate resilience, strategic excellence and export success. They operate across a broad range of sectors and are driving growth in every corner of the UK – from Edinburgh to Brighton, and Bath to Norfolk. Collectively, they employ almost 9,500 people and turn over more than £1.2 billion.
CLOUD NINE was established in 2009, with the promise to provide industry leading hair and beauty products for consumers to feel beautiful in their own skin and be kinder to their hair. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength not just in the UK, but globally – with a turnover now standing at £36m.
Martin Rae, CEO, says of this achievement: “To be named in such a prestigious list is recognition to the efforts of a full team of people at CLOUD NINE. It might be my name on the list, but it is not just me who has achieved such success.”
“We are a family business and I like to think of the wider team as one big family that operates successfully due to the culture we have created. Long may that continue in the future.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of our suppliers and customers – without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
John Garner, Managing Partner, LDC, added: “The volume and quality of submissions this year surpassed all of our expectations. We’ve been struck by the way business leaders have overcome challenges and adversity to run fast-growing and successful companies, proving that difficult circumstances can become the biggest driver of ambition. There are so many fascinating stories behind each and every business leader in this year’s Top 50 and I’d like to congratulate all of those featured. We look forward to seeing where they go next!”