Lush CEO Mark Constantine Embraces Activism and Family-Owned Business Model
Mark Constantine, co-founder and CEO of Lush, has made activism a central part of the company's identity, addressing issues from trans rights to police accountability and even closing stores to protest the situation in Gaza. Founded in 1995 in Dorset, Lush has grown from a single shop into a global brand with 869 outlets and an annual turnover of £690 million.
Lush remains privately owned by six co-founders, including Constantine and his wife Mo, alongside Rowena Bird, Helen Ambrosen, Liz Bennett, and Paul Greeves. Two of Constantine's three children also work for the company, highlighting the firm's commitment to a family-run business ethos. This approach builds on Constantine's early career beginning in 1977 at The Body Shop with Anita Roddick.
The company advocates for experiential retail, incorporating spa treatments and in-store events to create more engaging shopping experiences and support high street stores. Despite its success, Lush faced challenges in 2020 when it admitted to underpaying Australian workers by over $4 million over nearly a decade, paying back the owed money and implementing an action plan to address the issue.
Constantine argues that family-owned businesses tend to last longer and has expressed concern over a government proposal introducing a 2026 inheritance tax on family business assets valued over £1 million, which he warns could force sales. A Treasury spokesperson indicated that these reforms are designed to be pro-business while redirecting relief to public services.
