Jem Skelding
Nominated for Enterprise award
Jem Skelding is the CEO of Naissance, a company selling natural and organic health and beauty products.
The company, based in Neath, was established by Jem in 2005. During that time, it has grown considerably and now employs 134 staff in the UK and Germany and produces more than 1,000 products. The company’s turnover has reached over £10 million.
Jem spent his childhood in Africa and the lack of availability of readymade products and abundance of natural plant materials led to his interest in natural products.
He has built partnerships with sustainable and ethical growers around the world, sourcing the finest quality raw materials and ensuring that growers receive the best price for their products. One example of this is a cooperative of women in Ghana, where the company sources its Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, where 600 women support a community of more than 2,400 individuals.
The company is registered with the Soil Association and the Vegan Society. Jem has also worked hard to achieve Leaping Bunny certification, where the company had to meet rigorous criteria to gain official cruelty free status.
Two-thirds of the company’s trade comes from outside the UK.
The company pays all staff, regardless of age, a minimum of 10% above National Living Wage as well as giving the opportunity to work with local organisations to help educate the company’s staff and give back to the local community.