Jo Malone CBE is acclaimed as the ‘English scent maverick’ and is recognised as one of the world's most influential fragrance entrepreneurs. Originally a facial therapist, Jo discovered her passion for fragrance while working from her home-based skincare clinic in London. Word quickly spread about her handmade creations, leading to the launch of Jo Malone London, a brand that became a global success. After selling the business to The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999, she remained Creative Director until 2006, when she left the brand completely. Jo is no longer associated with the Jo Malone London brand or its products.
Driven by an unwavering passion for creativity and fragrance, Jo founded Jo Loves in 2011. Built on innovation, integrity and craftsmanship, the brand offers a collection of fragrances, bath and body products, candles and lifestyle collections, all inspired by personal memories and meaningful moments. Continuing to evolve, Jo expanded her entrepreneurial ambitions in 2023 after relocating to Dubai, UAE, with her husband Gary. Together, they launched Jo Creates, a company designed to explore what she describes as ‘the five senses of Jo’ through a range of new ventures. The first of these, Jo Vodka, launched in 2025.
Jo's distinctive approach to fragrance is rooted in storytelling and emotion. Guided by her exceptional sense of smell, she transforms everyday experiences into memorable scents, from her husband's cologne and freshly washed linen to treasured family holidays. This deeply personal creative process has become the signature of her work and continues to set her apart within the global fragrance industry.
Alongside her commercial success, Jo has received widespread recognition for her achievements. She was appointed MBE in 2008 before being awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2018 for services to the British economy. In 2016, she was inducted into the World Retail Congress Hall of Fame, one of the retail industry's highest honours. Having overcome dyslexia, breast cancer and a childhood spent in government-subsidised housing, Jo's journey reflects extraordinary resilience and determination.
Today, Jo is also a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, sharing insights into entrepreneurship, creativity, branding and innovation with audiences worldwide. She speaks candidly about building global businesses, embracing reinvention and changing the way people experience fragrance. Her expertise has also been recognised by the BBC, which invited her to become one of its Maestros, with her course, ‘How to Think Like an Entrepreneur’, achieving international success.
Jo's legacy extends far beyond fragrance. Through her businesses, speaking engagements and continued commitment to innovation, she inspires entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world. She believes this stage of her career is her most creative and exciting yet, with every new venture driven by passion, resilience and an enduring curiosity to create something extraordinary.
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 Exclusive Interview with Jo Malone.
