All well... and good

After a career in fashion Pentrich-born Jayn Sterland returned to her roots and is now Managing Director of Weleda UK – the world renowned producers of natural cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Catherine Roth catches up with her at the Ilkeston headquarters

Weleda is a global brand yet its UK headquarters are found much closer to home in Ilkeston.

Today the company manufactures over 300 different products for health, wellbeing and beauty, as well as thousands of pharmaceuticals. The products contain no synthetic ingredients but only natural plant-based products, which are grown as holistically and sustainably as possible.

Jayn Sterland is Managing Director of Weleda UK, a role that has enabled her to return to her roots and reconnect with nature. She grew up in Pentrich, descended from a long line of farmers, but left to pursue a career in fashion. Jayn describes herself as being bedazzled by its glitz and glamour but she began to reassess her career with the birth of her first child and, despite returning to work, a slower way of life began to seep into her thinking. The catalyst for change came when, at 14 months old, her son was taken to hospital. Jayn says, ‘Having a family gave purpose to our lives and I realised mine wasn’t working in an unsustainable industry constantly reinventing the wheel where it’s all about consumerism and the next new thing.’

Jayn and her family were already using Weleda’s products when she attended one of the company’s open days. ‘I said to my husband, “Imagine working for this company.” He looked me in the eye and said, “Why don’t you?!’” It was a decision that would change her life.

With the birth of her second son Jayn took an 18-month career break, giving her the opportunity to reconnect with who she was.

She says, ‘When I thought about what I was going to do with my life I knew that it had to have integrity and be worthwhile. I managed to join Weleda, a company where I could make a difference and the company could make a difference to me.’