Emma Lewisham’s global reach is growing, supported by Kiwibank

Emma Lewisham launched her skincare range in New Zealand after spotting a gap in the market for a natural and sustainable – yet luxurious – product range.

Now, just five years later, the CEO and co-founder has significantly expanded the global presence of her eponymous brand with the help of Kiwibank.

Her products are sold by stores such as MECCA, Harrods, Liberty, SpaceNK and Goop and have been used at the Oscars. They are also used by celebrities including Margot Robbie, and have even been endorsed by environmental champion Dame Jane Goodall.

But success didn’t come without hard work and a commitment to doing things differently. It took three years and 57 iterations to create the company’s first product for skin hyperpigmentation – for Lewisham, breaking through both the science and the business model was crucial.

Tom Williams, head of sustainable finance at Kiwibank, says the partnership began at a pivotal time in the company’s growth as it set its sights on further global expansion.

“We were able to provide them with the right tools, the right support and the right bankers to ensure they had the right contacts and systems in place to deliver that growth,” he says.

“They were very clear with us early on that they had big ambitions and didn’t just want to expand offshore, they wanted to change the beauty industry.”

Williams says Lewisham has been clear from the start about achieving “purposeful sustainable innovation”.

“The beauty industry is not known for its sustainability and it was clear from day one how much sustainability was embedded in the brand, which is great from a resilience perspective, but also from a consumer perspective.”

The Emma Lewisham brand has done all this while staying true to its values ​​and was, according to the Ministry of Environment New Zealand and the world’s first climate-positive beauty brand.

A new definition of refill packaging

As well as creating natural skincare products that work, Lewisham sought to challenge the status quo through her brand’s Beauty Circle – a system where products can be refilled and packaging returned for recycling. This reduces the CO2 emissions of their products by as much as 74%.

Emma Lewisham is the only Kiwi brand in all 120 MECCA stores in New Zealand and Australia. Empty drums from the full range can be returned to any of these outlets to be sterilized and refilled, or recycled, making this the skincare industry’s largest circularity initiative in Australasia.

“Having discovered at the same time the unprecedented levels of waste and carbon emissions the beauty industry is responsible for, I knew from the start that Emma Lewisham would rethink the current model of beauty,” she explains.

Early on, the brand was told by many retailers that customers would not adapt to refills and a circular model to reduce their carbon footprint, but Lewisham says they were proven wrong.

“We know from our retailers that we have one of the highest repeat customers in our industry, which is essential for the functioning of our refill model and for us to truly create a circular business and demonstrate a new way of doing business.

“To change a model, first and foremost, you have to have exceptional products, as evidenced by our number of repeat customers and refill sales.”

Kiwibank commercial manager Meghna Garg says the bank was excited by Lewisham’s approach to beauty packaging and inspired to see a successful business in New Zealand and globally.

“That’s the opportunity our team saw: supporting a Kiwi brand making its way into the global marketplace,” she says.

Williams adds that the business model is not only desired by customers, but is prosperous both financially and environmentally.

“The amazing thing is that Emma Lewisham shows that there can often be a fear that sustainability is going to increase costs or make life more difficult,” he says, “but in this case it results in a better product, something that delivers more . attractive and also reduces costs.”

A luxurious natural and sustainable future

Williams says Kiwibank looks forward to continuing to work with Emma Lewisham and helping the company leverage opportunities in sustainable and natural beauty, whatever path the company decides to take.

“Our role is not to tell them how to run their business,” he says. “The idea is that we are there to share ideas and ensure that once they know clearly what they want, we can quickly provide all the support and tools they need.

“Emma Lewisham is such a great example of proving that sustainability and performance go hand in hand, that you can actually do something that is better for the environment and better for people, whilst at the same time creating a product that people really want. That is a story we can all learn from.”

Lewisham says its brand sought a banking partner that supported a fast-growing business and was also aligned with its sustainability values.

“Kiwibank genuinely cares about the wider New Zealand economy and our environment, and provides meaningful benefits to businesses that choose to operate in this way, which we greatly appreciate,” she said. “As we have continued to invest and grow in international markets, Kiwibank has provided tailor-made solutions to support our financing needs and supercharge our growth.

“Kiwibank is a pleasure to work with, they bring incredible strategic value and intelligence, they truly care about their work and their customers. Their purpose is paramount in everything they do.”

Kiwibank tells stories about other sustainable companies that make a positive difference through her Business for Better series featured on TVNZ’s Sunday programme. Each episode follows a Kiwi business as they reflect on their successes and steps towards growth, as well as the benefits gained from Kiwbank’s knowledge and expertise.

The series shows how sustainable finance considerations are more than just a perk: they are key factors for business success, growth and financing. In this story, Williams and Garg meet Lewisham to learn more about the research and manufacturing process behind her skincare products.

This content was sponsored by Kiwibank. Look at Kiwibank Doing business for better on TVNZ’s Sundays at 7.30pm on TVNZ1, or by streaming on TVNZ+.