RDJ Welcomes Trailblazing Skincare Leader for Fempower 2025
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RDJ hosted an inspiring evening on Thursday, 13 February, as it welcomed Noella Gabriel, co-founder of global skincare brand ELEMIS, to speak at Fempower 2025. The annual event, which celebrates female-led enterprises, also featured insights from Niamh Ryan, co-founder of Irish beauty brand Ella & Jo Cosmetics, and Mark Flood, co-founder and Director of Renatus Capital Partners, a leading boutique Irish private equity firm.
With nearly 35 years of experience shaping the beauty industry, Noella Gabriel shared the story of her remarkable journey with ELEMIS. Under her leadership, the brand has achieved double-digit growth and expanded into over 90 countries. Speaking passionately about her experiences, she emphasized the resilience, integrity, and vision required to build and sustain a globally recognized brand.
Niamh Ryan, who is at an earlier stage in her entrepreneurial journey, provided an inspiring perspective on growing a business while balancing the demands of family life. Ella & Jo, which won Best New Brand at the UK CEW Awards last year, has rapidly expanded to over 50 countries. As a mother of four, Niamh highlighted the challenges and triumphs of scaling an international business while managing a busy household.
The role of private equity in business growth was another key topic of the evening. Noella Gabriel described the introduction of private equity into ELEMIS as a ‘lightbulb moment and a gamechanger.’ Mark Flood echoed this sentiment, noting the encouraging rise of female equity owners and the vital role that events like Fempower play in fostering greater representation in business leadership.
Commenting on the event, Gillian Keating, Partner at RDJ, said:
“Fempower is about celebrating and supporting female entrepreneurship, and tonight’s speakers exemplified the drive, innovation, and determination that fuel successful businesses. Noella, Niamh, and Mark each brought unique perspectives on growth, resilience, and investment, offering invaluable insights for everyone in the room. At RDJ, we are proud to champion female-led enterprises and foster discussions that empower the next generation of business leaders.”
View photos from the event here.
Our keynote interview and panel discussion, moderated by RDJ Partner Sarah Slevin, included:
- Noella Gabriel | ELEMIS
Working at the forefront of the skincare industry for over 30 years, Noella Gabriel remains an integral part of the No.1 luxury British skincare brand today. In 1989, Linda Steiner had a dream to formulate a retail range as near to nature as possible with no expense spared, creating ELEMIS in 1990. Noella joined the founding team as a leading professional therapist and educator. Sean Harrington joined forces to help change the direction of ELEMIS to provide a range for professional salons and spas, whilst Oriele Frank joined to push the boundaries of the brand and develop ELEMIS through innovative marketing, packaging, design and product development. This trio grew the company from a pioneering start-up into a disruptive industry leader, selling in more than 90 countries. The heart of the brand, Gabriel inspires every team member with her innovative thinking and passion for training. In her role, Gabriel oversees and manages ELEMIS globally. Continuing to evolve the established UK business, she is also heavily focused on driving the US business and performance alongside local teams. In her years with ELEMIS, she has taken the company through double digit growth. Gabriel is a formidable force shaping not only ELEMIS, but the beauty industry itself. Her innovative vision inspires every treatment and award-winning product. Always striving to create revolutionary formulas, Gabriel believes every product must deliver real results. She has been recognized with numerous industry honours for her inspiring leadership.
- Niamh Ryan | Ella & Jo Cosmetics
Niamh Ryan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ella & Jo Cosmetics, an International Award-Winning Irish Skincare Company, selling to over 50 countries worldwide. Niamh is an Advanced Skin Therapist, Cosmetic Scientist, MBS and wellbeing advisor. She is also mum to four young children, balancing life between running a busy household and growing an international business.
- Mark Flood | Renatus Capital Partners
Mark Flood is a co-founder and Director of Renatus Capital Partners, a leading boutique Irish private equity firm. Renatus invests in Irish and UK companies with global ambitions, supporting founders and partners in achieving their growth objectives.
If you would like to hear more about upcoming RDJ Women in Leadership events, please email rdjevents@rdj.ie