November 10-11

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LONDON

|

November 10-11 | LONDON |

Beauty Independent’s Dealmaker Summit is widely recognized as the premier sector-specific professional event for leaders involved in fund raising, capital strategy and M&A in beauty and wellness.

Renowned for its best-in-class content, the Dealmaker Summit features an expertly crafted agenda focused on topics relevant to beauty and wellness dealmakers, carefully curated panels that provide relevant yet diverse perspectives, and original research and insights presented by Beauty Independent’s Editorial team.

Join a diverse group of the most influential dealmakers active in the space, including strategics, private equity, venture capital, family offices, angel investors, incubators, investment bankers, as well as founders and CEOs of high growth brands for two-days of peer-level thought leadership and networking.

SECURE 2026 TICKETS

This is when the future of our industry is either shaped or negotiated

“”

— MARK ELRICK
Founder & CEO, BYOMA, Future Beauty Labs, Tax-Luxe

Summit
Agenda

I.INVESTMENT STRATEGY

High-profile sales like Touchland, Medik8 and Rhode prove there’s still appetite—and strong valuations—for the right brands, but the broader UK and European M&A market remains highly selective. With public strategics prioritising cost-cutting and portfolio rationalisation amid persistent macro headwinds, many “exit-ready” brands face slower timelines and tougher terms. This session unpacks the latest data to reveal whether we’re in a temporary dip or a lasting market reset—and what it will really take to get deals done.
Fast money is out. Patient capital is in. In this session, we’ll explore how family offices and long-hold investors are bringing staying power to beauty—offering brands time, strategy, and support instead of chasing a quick exit.
Early-stage beauty investing is booming—but is there a real playbook, or just recycled strategies? This session explores whether firms are chasing proven models or betting on true innovation—and what that means for investors looking to win early.
With a reported 13x multiple on $70–$80M in sales, L’Oréal’s €1B acquisition of Medik8 puts clinical skincare—and UK brands—firmly in the spotlight. Was it worth it? Or just a beautiful risk? We’re digging in.
A funding gap is holding back Europe’s most promising beauty and wellness brands. Too big for early-stage VC, too small for traditional PE — mid-stage companies are struggling to scale. This session explores the capital void, compares global investment landscapes, and asks: who will step up to fund beauty’s next breakout brands?

II.RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION

With China slowing to a near halt and the U.S. heating up, expansion westward feels essential—but also riskier than ever. This session unpacks what it now takes for UK and EU brands to crack the U.S., from tariffs to team building to retail strategy.
With rising CACs and renewed trust in experts, salons, medspas, and clinics are back in the spotlight. This panel explores how pro-first brands are building loyal followings—and whether the chair is becoming beauty’s smartest go-to-market play.
With margins under pressure and competition rising, is retail still a value driver—or just a cost of doing business? This session explores how retail’s role is evolving, and what it means for brands chasing scale and exit.

III.PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES

Fragrance is flourishing, with niche brands leading the charge through innovation and authenticity. This panel examines the trends shaping the scent industry and the strategic moves investors are making to capture its aromatic opportunities.
Despite strong brand performances, the color cosmetics sector is facing a slowdown in growth and investor interest. What are the factors behind this trend? What are the key strategies for revitalizing the category's appeal to investors?
We explore novel ingredients like exosomes, rising formulation costs, and whether consumers and investors are ready for a post-retinol future.
Once dominated by mass players, haircare is now one of prestige beauty’s fastest-growing segments. But with new entrants crowding shelves and the pro salon channel still tough to crack, the category faces fresh challenges. This session explores what it will take to sustain momentum—and who’s best positioned to lead haircare’s next phase.