A businesswoman from Pembrokeshire has secured a place among the UK’s most impactful young people, alongside chart-topping musicians, leading athletes, and rising political figures.

Lucie Macleod, who grew up in Newport, has been named on The Sunday Times Young Power List 2026, which celebrates 30 exceptional individuals below the age of 30.

This honour comes after Lucie was previously listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2026.

Lucie founded Hair Syrup while pandemic restrictions were in place during 2020.

The Sunday Times Young Power List, created by The Times and Sunday Times, showcases 30 outstanding young Britons who are propelling social change, building thriving businesses, or distinguishing themselves in creative industries, sports, and leadership.

The editorial staff at The Sunday Times chooses the 30 recipients, each of whom features in exclusive conversations with the publication.

Lucie expressed that being included in The Times Young Power List alongside others constructing the future was genuinely humbling.

She explained that she started Hair Syrup with no background in the sector, motivated purely by a genuine market gap and a belief that methods could be enhanced.

She noted that witnessing it grow into a global brand grounded in community confidence and tangible outcomes had been extraordinary, and this recognition held deep significance.

Hair Syrup has been recognised as Wales’ second fastest-growing enterprise.

Previously, Hair Syrup secured a position on The Sunday Times 100 ranking of the UK’s fastest-expanding private companies, standing as the fastest-growing cosmetics brand on that list, which explains precisely why this 26-year-old Pembrokeshire inventor was chosen for the Young Power List.

Lucie featured in the business section of the power list. During a subsequent Sunday Times Magazine feature on the Young Power List, she described how she initially shared an experimental hair oil formulation on TikTok in 2020 while still studying, which quickly attracted enormous interest.

That hair oil subsequently became Hair Syrup, with Lucie dispatching her merchandise from her parents’ conservatory throughout the 2020 coronavirus restrictions while simultaneously working towards her English literature degree, which she achieved with first-class distinction.

After promptly building a loyal customer base among TikTok’s younger demographic, Hair Syrup, based in Goodwick, has since secured retail partnerships with chains including Boots, Asos, and Urban Outfitters.

She founded the company as a university project alongside her studies.

She began her enterprise with just £300. The previous year, the firm generated £5 million in sales.

Despite failing to secure the investment she pursued during her Dragon’s Den appearance in January 2025, Lucie has continued advancing Hair Syrup, with the company going from strength to strength.

Lucie’s commercial acumen has also accumulated multiple awards.

The previous year, she was designated The Sunday Times Young Founder of the Year in 2025. This represents merely one among several distinctions, encompassing Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the EB100 Awards and Economic Innovator of the Year at The Spectator Awards.

Hannah Swerling, The Sunday Times Commissioning Editor, stated:

A new cohort of British talent is reshaping the definition of success.

Our Young Power List honourees are championing social progress, building successful enterprises, setting athletic records, and gaining international recognition.

All 30 stand at the forefront of a fresh era of British achievement.