Jacqui Gale, Chief Executive of Wax Lyrical, has been presented with the In-Cumbria Award for “Business Person of the Year”.

The Award recognises the leadership and drive demonstrated to overcome challenges and significantly transform a business. Never were those qualities needed more, than in 2020. 

The Award recognises an outstanding contribution to the company but Jacqui was quick to share the accolade with the Wax Lyrical team. “I am of course honoured to accept this Award, but I do so on behalf of the 138 staff in Wax Lyrical and the wider Portmeirion Group. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone but it is important to appreciate what was achieved in the face of such adversity.” 

In 2020, Wax Lyrical continued to drive down its carbon footprint and recruited more staff to the Barrow and Lindal sites. It continued to produce cruelty free, 100% fragranced candles and diffusers, exporting to 46 countries. Back in March, Jacqui led the business to play a major part in helping the NHS. “We decided to pause production and used our onsite lab to produce 70% alcohol sanitiser.” Said Jacqui. “After only 10 days we delivered our first batch of hand sanitiser direct to hospitals and latterly supplied other key workers and made it available to the public.” 

Jacqui said every department was involved. “Every department from quality, office teams, production and dispatch, along with suppliers of materials and packaging, were all involved. Every single person put their heart and soul into doing their bit for the nation. While many organisations had to lock down, Wax Lyrical was setting the bar for having office and factory staff achieve great things, whilst keeping themselves and their families safe. It was genuinely an emotional time and I could not be prouder of what we all achieved, together.” 

Wax Lyrical produced 1 million units in the first 3 months and continue to produce hand sanitiser and surface spray as well as 100% fragranced candles and diffusers. Jacqui said it was thanks to the commitment of the whole Group. “2020 has been challenging but the investment and support we have as part of the Portmeirion Group, enables continued growth and creation of employment opportunities in Cumbria.” 

Wax Lyrical prides itself on creating exquisite fragrances but the sanitiser has no fragrance as that was the NHS request. Jacqui explained, “Our attention to design turned to ensuring the sanitiser was also kind to skin and easily absorbed. The inclusion of thickener to create a light gel also means it’s non smell, actually smells nice. We did add a gentle scent of grapefruit to our surface spray which is currently keeping table tops, door handles and steering wheels clear of the virus.” 

Portmeirion, Jacqui and the team will continue to grow Wax Lyrical into next year. “We are soon to launch several new product ranges and begin construction of a factory extension so 2021 will be just as busy. We continue to support the NHS and our local community and we are grateful to our customers for choosing products which are made in England. 40 years of science, beautiful design and unparalleled quality, wrapped up in total fragrance, and a fantastic team, is what makes Wax Lyrical the UK’s largest home fragrance company.”

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