Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare and former finalist on the BBC’s The Apprentice, has paid herself a £2 million dividend following a 31 percent increase in profits for her beauty brand. Financial statements filed for the 2025 trading year show profits climbed to £11.4 million, contributing to a second consecutive year of profit growth exceeding 30 percent.

Tropic Skincare, headquartered in Croydon, reported a 13 percent rise in revenue to £76.7 million last year. The company expanded internationally with its first U.S. launch in August 2025, marking its initial move outside the UK market. Tropic operates a direct-to-consumer sales model, selling its products online and through a network of more than 20,000 part-time “ambassadors.” These ambassadors can earn commissions ranging from 25 to 35 percent on their sales after purchasing a £198 starter kit. They do not incur ongoing fees, and receive support and access to a dedicated website.

Ma, who founded the company in 2004 at the age of 15, completed the repurchase of a 50 percent stake from Lord Sugar in 2023. The stake had originally been sold to Sugar for £200,000 following her appearance on the BBC show in 2011. Although the terms of the repurchase were not fully disclosed, Tropic has since distributed £18.2 million in dividends, with the latest tranche paid out in January.

In addition to her business achievements, Ma has committed to donating 10 percent of Tropic’s profits annually to charitable causes. The company has notably increased its contributions to the United World Schools charity, which supports education in underprivileged regions. Tropic’s funding has helped establish five schools in Nepal and others in Madagascar.

The company manufactures nearly all of its creams and lotions fresh daily at its own production facility. In the latest accounts, Ma expressed confidence in continued growth, forecasting further increases in both revenue and profit for the current year.