Tajinder Banwait, Founder of Palette London and Urban Apothecary Awarded MBE

Founder of Urban Apothecary London and beauty entrepreneur Tajinder Banwait has awarded an MBE for services to Business and the Beauty Industry. She joins the 2024 New Year Honours List of accomplished individuals, detailed in the London Gazette.

“I am honoured to receive an MBE for services to Business and the Beauty Industry. When I think back to Urban Apothecary’s humble beginnings at my kitchen table over ten years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined receiving such recognition for the positive impact of my work.

 I consider myself fortunate to be doing what I love, from creating fragrances and hand-pouring candles in my Leicestershire factory to championing export, supporting British manufacturing, promoting female entrepreneurs and leading the way for South Asian businesses to thrive.” comments Tajinder Banwait, Founder, Urban Apothecary London

A successful entrepreneur and business leader, Tajinder has grown her lifestyle fragrance brand, Urban Apothecary London, into one of the UK’s most dynamic companies. She created her multi-million-pound, award-winning business…from her kitchen table at home in Leicester.

Tajinder founded Urban Apothecary in 2012, creating a unique British brand that manufactures and retails luxury fragrance, home, bath and body products. Its modern apothecary collection, inspired by the perfumer-alchemist’s original scent memories, currently serves 34 international markets. In 2022, Tajinder received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; Urban Apothecary is the first candle brand to be recognised in this category.

Earlier this year, Tajinder launched Palette London, her second business to be built from the bottom up. This new eco-beauty brand is taking the cosmetics industry by storm with its gold standard eco credentials and nail paint colours proven to strengthen nails during wear.

A tremendous champion for British export, Tajinder has, in an incredibly competitive industry, taken her products global and, in so doing, has proved an influential advocate for international trade. Tajinder is a Department for Business and Trade Midlands Export Champion. She is a superb example of what can be achieved with a global product and gives numerous speeches and presentations to enable other British businesses to take their first steps towards trading overseas.

An enthusiastic mentor, Tajinder gives her time freely to organisations such as the Prince’s Trust and the Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ Mentoring Programme. She is an inspiring role model for female business leaders, committed to breaking down barriers for women seeking to enter the beauty industry and manufacturing.